Close shaves for Jumbo, Cafe France

Jumbo Plastic found an unlikely hero in Alex Almario as the Giants held off Kera Mix Mixers, 78-72, Monday for their second straight triumph in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Almario, a guard out of Jose Rizal U, shone on both ends, finishing with 17 points while giving the Giants a lift defensively by forcing the Mixers to a series of turnovers.

The Giants were in control for most of the way until the Mixers came alive midway in the final period. But Almario anchored the Giants’ suffocating fullcourt defense in the last two minutes that eventually lifted Jumbo Plastic to a second win in three games and a share of second place.

“I really expected that we would be out of rhythm in the first half, but my third stringers delivered,” said Jumbo Plastic coach Steven Tiu.

“I thought he (Almario) did well on both ends. His energy and defense inspired his teammates.”

Cafe France also improved to 2-1 following an 86-80 thumping of Cagayan Valley in the second game.

Rod Ebondo fired 18 points as the Bakers fought back from 14 points down to pin a second defeat on the Rising Suns who have struggled after losing center Moala Tautuua to Cebuana Lhuillier.

The Bakers outscored the Rising Suns, 34-14, in the last 10 minutes with Ebondo leading the charge.

Kera Mix tied the count at 72 on Michael Digregorio’s seventh trey with 1:12 left in the fourth quarter before Dennis Villamor nailed the go-ahead triple 20 seconds later.

The scores:

First Game

JUMBO PLASTIC 78—Almario 17, Paniamogan 12, Perez 12, Villamor 10, Khobuntin 8, Sabellina 7, Tingson 4, Avillanoza 4, Uguilos 2, Rosales 2.

KERAMIX 72—Digregorio 21, Viernes 10, Saitanan 8, Parala 8, Jalalon 7, Ruaya 5, Gabawan 4, Jamito 4, Gil 3, Agovida 2, Canta 0.

Quarters: 22-18, 40-35, 55-52, 78-72

Second Game

CAFE FRANCE 86—Ebondo 18, De Leon 17, Cortez 15, Ahanmisi 13, Jeruta 9, Andrada 6, Miranda 3, Abundo 3, Sedurifa 2, Batino 0, Noble 0

CAGAYAN VALLEY 80—Celada 14, Trollano 12, Mabulac 9, Tayongtong 8, Santos 7, Galliguez 7, Magat 7, Austria 6, Melano 6, Rogado 4, Dilay 0, Flores 0.

Quarters: 19-22, 32-35, 52-66, 86-80