Rising Suns thru; Giants stay alive

JAMES Martinez of AMA U grimaces as he is hit in the head by a Cagayan player’s leg during a scramble in yesterday’s D-League game. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

CAGAYAN Valley survived a close encounter to advance to the Final Four, while Jumbo Plastic forced a sudden-death match against Hapee in the quarterfinals of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup Monday at Ynares Sports Arena.

Don Trollano buried Cagayan’s last nine points as the Rising Suns bested AMA University in overtime, 107-103, to arrange a semifinal showdown with No. 2 Cafe France.

Trollano finished with 31 points on top of 10 rebounds and five assists to lead the Rising Suns, who also survived the record 40-point production of Titans guard Jerramy King.

Earlier, Jumbo Plastic arrested Hapee’s huge comeback in the final quarter to hack out an 87-83 decision and forge a do-or-die match for the last semifinal berth.

Glenn Khobuntin scored the go-ahead basket with 20.9 seconds left, 83-82, after the Fresh Fighters blew a chance to pad their lead with an Ola Adeogun turnover.

Andrew Avillanoza completed a three-point play, 81-82, with 34.5 ticks left that helped the Giants quell the Fresh Fighters’ searing rally from 56-69.

“At halftime, I challenged the players that we should prove that we belong in this league,” said Giants coach Stevenson Tiu.

Jumbo will try to overcome Hapee’s twice-to-beat advantage in the winner-take-all match on Thursday, where the winner will take on top-seeded Cebuana Lhuillier in the semifinals.

Hapee again played minus stalwarts Ray Parks, who had left for the United States, and the injured Garvo Lanete.

The Rising Suns also drew a big game from center Michael Mabulac, who finished with 25 points and 17 rebounds.

“Our players didn’t entertain the distractions,” assistant coach Toto Dojillo said, referring to the lifetime ban on head coach Alvin Pua for assaulting a referee.

The scores:

First Game

JUMBO PLASTIC 87—Eguilos 13, Khobuntin 13, Paniamogan 12, Perez 12, Mirza 12, Jalalon 11, Villamor 5, Avillanoza 5, Mandani 4, Sanga, Arellano 0.

HAPEE 83—Dela Cruz 26, Amer 21, Adeogun 17, Newsome 6, Rosario 4, Elorde 3, Villahermosa 3, Koga 2, Sorela 1, Long 0, Gamboa 0, Mendoza 0.

Quarters: 19-17, 34-43, 67-56, 87-83

Second Game

CAGAYAN VALLEY 107—Trollano 31, Mabulac 25, Melano 13, Dilay 11, Tayongtong 6, Galliguez 5, Santos 4, Rogado 4, Magat 4,Austria 2, Celada 2, Salamat 0.

AMA 103—King 40, Martinez 18, Maiquez 15, Taganas 11, Asuncion 10, Tampus 9,

Quarters: 27-25, 56-47, 79-79, 96-96 (reg.), 107-103