Gems, Superchargers down D-League foes

MANILA, Philippines—Cebuana Lhuillier turned its game around in the second half to roll past newcomer Dub Unlimited, 85-72, and grab a share of the lead in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Thursday at the Trinity University of Asia gym.

Big Chill also joined the Gems and idle Blackwater for top spot at 2-0 after cruising past RnW Pacific Pipes, 70-48, earlier.

The Gems held the Wheelers to just a bucket during a five-minute stretch in the third period and built a 55-41 lead after trailing, 32-35.

The Superchargers roared to a 56-33 spread, also in the third quarter, as Raffy Reyes knocked in 11 of his game-high 17 points  while joining forces with Thomas Tan.

Kevin Alas, playing his final game in the league this year, topscored with 14 for the Gems.

Alas is set to leave for a two-month training with the semi-pro Los Angeles Slam in the American Basketball Association.

“Their strength is their bigs and they did a good job trapping our guards,” Gems coach Luigi Trillo said of the Wheelers’ strong start.

Pacific Pipes, which played minus head coach Topex Robinson, dropped its kickoff game, while Dub Unlimited absorbed its second straight setback.

Robinson missed the match to join the Alaska Aces, where he is an assistant coach, for a Cebu game in the PBA.

The scores:
First Game
BIG CHILL 70—Reyes 17, Collado 11, Mallari 11, Tan 9, Ponferada 8, Dizon 8, Glorioso 4, Custodio 2, Maconocido 0, Mangahas 0, Galinato 0, Morillo 0.
PACIFIC PIPES 48—Racal 10, Viray 7, Dela Cruz 7, Ilagan 5, Importante 5, Marquez 5, Zulueta 4, Del Rio 3, Antonio 2.
Quarters: 17-7, 30-21, 56-33, 70-48
Second Game
CEBUANA LHUILLIER 85—Alas 14, Romeo 13, Manuel 13, Mangahas 10, Reyes 10, Jeffries 8, Hayes 7, Cruz 6, Celeda 4, Almazan 0, Atkins 0, Excimiano 0.
DUB UNLIMITED 72—Aguilar 14, Gomez 13, Teng 10, Gamalinda 10, Zamar 8, Pascual 8, Leynes 5, Melegrito 2, Wong 2, Hugnatan 0, Bolos 0, Tapang 0.
Quarters: 20-21, 32-35, 62-50, 85-72