Baser Amer. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Baser Amer didn’t get the job done on Game 1, but with Hapee’s back against the wall on Thursday, he made sure to get the win for his team this time.
The San Beda playmaker carried the Fresh Fighters to a semis berth with a 75-64 conquest in the quarterfinals of the 2015 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Amer finished with 17 points, three rebounds, and three assists, towing the Aspirants’ Cup champs to a date with Cebuana in the semifinals.
Art dela Cruz led the squad with a near double-double of 18 points and nine rebounds, while Troy Rosario got 13 markers and seven boards.
Coach Ronnie Magsanoc admitted the feat to be an overachievement already with what the team had to endure.
“Akala ko out na kami a month and a half ago pero nabiyayaan kami ng pagbabalik ng Red Lions sa tulong ng management at sa kagandahang-loob ni coach Jamike (Jarin),” he said.
(I thought we were already out a month and a half ago but we got lucky with the return of the Red Lions with the help of our management and because of coach Jamike Jarin.)
“The players made a run. To make it to the playoffs, I’m already thankful. But to make it to the semis with what we faced, it’s a blessing. And you have to give it to the boys for working hard and trying to find ways to win,” Magsanoc continued.
The Fresh Fighters hold a psychological edge over Cebuana in the final four after turning back the Gems, 71-70 in their elimination meeting.
It will be a different Hapee team, though, as the Fresh Fighters will be missing Amer, Rosario, and Scottie Thompson to the national team which will compete in the SEA Games in Singapore. Norbert Torres and Almond Vosotros will also be missing in action for the Gems when the two teams clash on Monday.
Paul Sanga paced Jumbo Plastic with 13 points and five rebounds, while Jiovanni Jalalon and Marcy Arellano had 10 markers apiece.
The Scores:
Hapee 75 – Dela Cruz 18, Amer 17, Rosario 13, Newsome 12, Adeogun 6, Thompson 4, Elorde 2, Sorela 0, Koga 0.
Jumbo Plastic 64 – Sanga 13, Arellano 10, Jalalon 10, Khobuntin 6, Mandani 6, Villamore 5, Eguilos 4, Mirza 4, Paniamogan 2, Perez 2, Avillanoza 2, Tiongson 0.
Quarters: 22-15, 35-30, 52-44, 75-64.