MANILA, Philippines—Cebuana Lhuillier banked on a fiery start to whip Blackwater Elite, 73-52, Monday and grab solo second spot in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Trinity University of Asia Gym.
Letran guard Kevin Alas anchored the strong opening kick, firing 11 straight points in the first period as the Gems built a 15-3 spread and cruised to their fourth victory in five games.
It was a balanced attack for the Gems, who also drew 12 points each from Vic Manuel, Jai Reyes and Terrence Romeo.
“The triangle (offense) allowed us to move the ball well,” said Gems coach Luigi Trillo.
“We also defended well especially in the fourth (quarter),” Trillo added.
Earlier, Mac Montilla sustained his superb form as Café France pulled the rug from under Big Chill, 71-61.
Montilla and Jeff Viernes, who finished with 21 points, took turns in powering the Bakers, who scored their second straight victory after opening the season with three straight losses.
The Super Chargers, who fell to 3-1, struggled to find their rhythm in the second half as they missed leading scorer Alex Mallari who was sidelined by an eye injury.
The Bakers actually overhauled a 10-point deficit in the second quarter —thanks to Montilla, who fired 12 of his 25 points in the third period, including three triples.
Montilla’s three-pointer with a minute left in the third gave Café France the lead for good, 51-49.
“He (Montilla) seems to know just how to win,” said Bakers coach Edgar Macaraya. “But the key really was our defense. We hustled a lot and pressured their ball carriers.”
Montilla, a standout from Sta. Monica College in Las Piñas, came alive in the second half, making six of 12 shots, including five threes.
The scores:
First Game
CAFÉ FRANCE 71—Montilla 25, Viernes 21, Lucernas 9, Guillen 6, Parala 6, Mabayo 45, Anti Puesto 0, Dumapig 0, LAmosa 0, Alquisalas 0, Abundo 0, Jasmin 0, MAgbitang 0.
BIG CHILL 61—Collado 30, Reyes 11, Glorioso 5, Ponferada 5, Dizon 4, Mangahas 3, Morillo 2, Maconicido 1, Galinato 0, Santos 0, Tan 0.
Quarters: 12-15, 33-37, 54-49, 71-61
Second Game
CEBUANA LHUILLIER 73—Alas 18, Manuel 12, Reyes 12, Romeo 12, Jeffries 7, Llagas 4, Hayes 4, Cruz 2, Mangahas 2, Exciminiano 0, Atkins 0.
BLACKWATER 52—I. Ciriacruz 21, Pascual 10, Doligon 6, acidre 6, G. Ciriacruz 4, Bautista 4, Bringas 1, Manalo 0, Tan 0, Villanueva 0.
Quarters: 21-16, 42-28, 49-41, 73-52.