Dela Cruz, Adeogun lift Hapee past Cafe France

The reinforcements couldn’t have come at a better time for the Hapee Fresh Fighters.

Boosted by the return of their players from San Beda, the Fresh Fighters snapped a two-game slide with a gutsy 75-72 overtime victory over Cafe France Monday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Art dela Cruz finished with 18 points including the go-ahead basket in overtime as the Fresh Fighters improved to an even 3-3 card.

It was another San Beda standout who forced overtime as Ola Adeogun scored on a tip in off a Troy Rosario miss, giving the Fresh Fighters a lifeline.

“Simply putting it, it’s an answered prayer for the team,” said Hapee coach Ronnie Magsanoc. “We are on the brink right now. We’re just hoping to survive. If we lost, it would have been hard making the playoffs.

In the second game, KeraMix leaned on the brilliance of Ford Ruaya and Jiovani Jalalon to repulse Cagayan Valley, 89-84.

It was a terrific response from the Mixers after absorbing a 27-point loss to the AMA University Titans last week.

The win also kept the Mixers in the hunt for a playoff spot, tying the Rising Suns for a share of third with a 4-3 slate. Cedelf P. Tupas

The scores:

First Game

HAPEE 75—Dela Cruz 18, Parks 17, Thompson 11, Adeogun 10, Rosario 6, Koga 5, Elorde 4, Newsome 4, Long 0, Romero 0, Villahermosa 0.

CAFE FRANCE 72—Ahanmisi 16, Sedurifa 12, Abundo 11, Ebondo 9, De Leon 8, Cortes 7, Miranda 5, Jeruta 2, Batino 2, Noble 0, Andrada 0.

Quarters: 14-13, 28-35, 40-42, 63-63 (reg.), 75-72

Second Game

KERAMIX 89—Ruaya 18, Jalalon 18, Agovida 14, Viernes 13, Parala 9, Gabawan 7, Robles 6, Ibay 2, Bartolo 2, DiGregorio 0, Gil 0, Jamito 0.

CAGAYAN VALLEY 84—Trollano 22, Mabulac 13, Galliguez 13, Celada 12, Rogado 8, Salamat 7, Melano 5, Santos 2, Magat 2, Dilay 0, Austria 0, Flores 0, Tayongtong 0.

Quarters: 12-19, 40-40, 60-66, 89-84