FINDING its stride in the second period, Cebuana Lhuillier coasted to a fifth straight win Monday after turning back Jumbo Plastic, 81-66, in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Gems unleashed a barrage of baskets to close the first half and never looked back as they tightened their grip of top spot, while sending the Giants to their second straight defeat.
Earlier, Cagayan Valley eased the pain of its finals defeat in the Aspirants Cup with a 104-89 crushing of Hapee.
Facing the Fresh Fighters for the first time since they got swept in the finals last month, the Rising Suns sizzled early to take the fight out of Hapee.
Already missing the services of Arnold Van Opstal (national team) and Garvo Lanete (knee injury), the Fresh Fighters suffered another blow when center Troy Rosario was ejected with 4:24 left in the first quarter for hitting Abel Galliguez in the head with a close fist.
Galliguez hit three triples in the first period as the Rising Suns scored a record 40 points, while holding the Fresh Fighters to just 19 on their way to a third win in five outings.
“We shot well and that made a big difference in this game,” said Cagayan Valley team consultant Arturo Valenzona.
The Gems broke away from a 28-all deadlock with Simon Enciso scoring eight in a 16-6 spurt to close the second quarter.
Mo Tautuaa dished out another big game for Cebuana with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
The scores:
First Game
CAGAYAN VALLEY 104—Salamat 20, Galliguez 17, Melano 13, Magat 12, Mabulac 10, Rogado 10, Celada 7, Tayongtong 6, Santos 5, Trollano 2, Austria 0, Flores 0, Arquero 0.
HAPEE 89—Parks 33, Newsome 17, Romero 14, Long 7, Mendoza 6, Thompson 4, Lopez 4, Gamboa 3, Elorde 1, Rosario 0, Villahermosa 0, Gabo 0, Bringas 0.
Quarters: 40-19, 60-35, 84-69, 104-89
Second Game
CEBUANA LHUILLIER 81—Tautuaa 16, A. Mangahas 16, Enciso 15, Corpuz 8, Torres 7, Vosotros 7, Zamar 6, J. Mangahas 4, Acibar 2, Bautista 0, Lopez 0, Sarangay 0, Marata 0.
JUMBO PLASTIC 66—Perez 15, Khobuntin 8, Sanga 8, Villamor 7, Sabelina 6, Rosales 6, Avillanoza 6, Tiongson 4, Eguillos 4, Paniamogan 2, Almario 0, Arellano 0.
Quarters: 16-17, 44-34, 63-52, 81-66