Fresh Fighters, Rising Suns gain q’final edge

CEBUANA’S Moala Tautuaa elevates for a reverse shot off Cagayan’s Jason Melano. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

HAPEE and Cagayan Valley fought off separate pesky opponents Monday to nail the twice-to-beat quarterfinal incentives in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Bucking the absence of two star players, Hapee uncorked a decisive run in the last seven minutes to dispatch MP Hotel, 87-81, and wrap up their elimination run with a third-best 6-3 record.

Chris Newsome and Baser Amer combined for 14 points in the final quarter as the Fresh Fighters rallied past the Warriors, who had only a win to show yet came out controlling big parts of the game.

The Fresh Fighters had to do without Ray Parks, who just left for the United States to try out for the NBA Summer League, and Garvo Lanete, who is recovering from a knee injury.

The Rising Suns hacked out a 102-95 upset of Cebuana Lhuillier behind Don Trollano, who sparked the Rising Suns’ hot start and finished with 25 points, 12 coming from the three-point range.

Michael Mabulac (22 points and 17 rebounds) and Abel Galliguez (16 points) also came out big for the Rising Suns, who led, 56-42, on the way to keeping joint  third at 6-3.

The scores:

First Game

HAPEE 87—Dela Cruz 15, Adeogun 14, Newsome 13, Amer 11, Thompson 9, Rosario 6, Mendoza 6, Elorde 4, Villahermosa 3, Koga 2, Long 2, Sorela 2, Romero 0.

MP HOTEL 81—Custodio 17, Mirza 17, Nambatac 15, Cruz 9, Acidre 8, Quinto 5, Dela Peña 4, Masaglang 2, Colina 2, Mendoza 2, Apreku 0.

Quarters: 14-13, 34-39, 62-60, 87-81

Second Game

CAGAYAN VALLEY 102–Trollano 25, Mabulac 22, Galliguez 16, Melano 11, Salamat 10, Dilay 8, Celada 5, Tayongtong 3, Magat 2, Flores 0, Santos 0, Rogado 0.

CEBUANA LHUILLIER 95–Torres 23, Tautuaa 18, Enciso 18, Zamar 14, Cabrera 11, Mangahas 6, Corpuz 5, Vosotros 0.
Quarters: 21-29, 49-38, 72-68, 102-95