Cebuana cuts Hapee, forces rubber match in PBA D-League semis

Cebuana extended its stay in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup as it fended off Hapee, 76-73, in their quarterfinals series Thursday Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Allan Mangahas waxed hot with 40 points and eight boards and had his presence felt in the clutch. He  tied with Jeramy King of AMA with most points scored in D-League history.

READ: Undermanned Hapee outmuscles Cebuana for 1-0 lead in semis

With the Gems down, 73-72, with 1:25 left in the game, Mangahas got trapped near the half-court line then drove to the left elbow for a floater to give Cebuana a 74-73 lead with 1:04 remaining.

Hapee then committed a 24-second violation with around 40 seconds remaining.

Moala Tautuaa, who played with an ankle injury, then found the spot inside as he skied  for a layup off an assist from Simon Enciso to put the boards at 76-73 with 18.3 seconds remaining.

Gems head coach Boycie Zamar said even finishing with the league’s best record in the elimination rounds, his team hasn’t proven anything, unlike Hapee which won the Aspirant’s Cup.

“Yes we finished with the best record but it doesn’t guarantee anything,” Zamar said. “Hapee, they are the champions. They may be undermanned but they are still the champions. They are not the champions for nothing.”

Mar Villahermosa had a chance to send the game into overtime but his shot went wide.

Tautuaa was the other Gem who scored in double figures with 10 points to go along 12 boards.

Ola Adeogun led Hapee with 25 points and 12 rebounds. CFC