Lee rescues Cobra; Freego rips Pharex

PAUL LEE knocked in a triple with 1.3 seconds left to cap a 30-point night with a 71-70 escape over FCA in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup yesterday at the San Juan Gym.

The Ironmen’s fourth victory in five games gave them the solo lead in Group B and also boosted their chances for the last two outright quarterfinal incentives.

“This is a huge win for us, it separates us from our closest rivals,” said Cobra assistant mentor Eric Gonzales, who took over from coach Lawrence Chongson, who’s in the US for a business trip.

Earlier, Alex Nuyles pumped in 21 points as Freego Jeans dumped the skidding Pharex, 72-54, in Group A action.

“We know that we have no chance to finish in the top two, so our goal is to just win as many games as we could and try to improve,” said coach Leo Austria after Freego climbed to fourth with a 2-3 record.

Pharex dropped its fourth straight game to end its classification run with a 2-4 record. April Jezette Aquino

The scores:

First Game

FREEGO JEANS 72—Nuyles 21, Cabrera 15, Alvarez 12, Colina 9, Camson 9, Cañada 4, Namucatcat 2, Lozada 0, Galinalo 0, Morillo 0, Ferreria 0.
PHAREX 54—Asoro 12, Mangahas 10, Aguilar 9, Cabonse 6, Morial 4, Taylor 4, Banal 3, Losentes 3, Adolfo 2, Montilla 1, Tecson 0.
Quarters: 12-11, 28-24, 48-38, 72-54

Second Game

COBRA 71—Lee 30, Baloran 11, Acibar 10, Sanga 7, Foronda 5, Bandaying 5, Hermosisima 3, Reyes 0, Eguilog 0, Rosopa 0.
FCA 70—Reyes 15, Canlas 14, Bulawan 12, Mallari 10, Maconocido 10, Co 4, Husted 3, Pascual 2, Cole 0, Datang 0.
Quarters: 12-12, 29-31, 48-55, 71-70