MANILA, Philippines—Not even a rare scheduling conflict could scuttle an in-form Freego Jeans squad.
Freego Jeans’ key players mustered enough strength to stop Cobra Energy Drink, 61-54, in a bruising duel Tuesday and stayed unbeaten in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the jampacked Adamson University Gym.
“We were a bit sluggish at the start because we had to play a game earlier,” said Freego Jeans coach Leo Austria, who also steered the Adamson Falcons to a victory over Jose Rizal U in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League just minutes before the game against the Ironmen.
“To make sure we won’t default, I had four of my players rush here to join the other four who are not Adamson players,” Austria said.
The Jeans Makers drew strength from Adamson forward Eric Camson, who finished with 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting that went with 11 rebounds and three blocks.
Earlier, Boracay Rum used two defensive stops in the final minute to squeak past RnW Pacific Pipes, 63-61, for its third win in five outings, keeping the Waves in the hunt for one of the two outright semifinal berths.
The scores:
First Game
BORACAY RUM 63—Bandaying 16, Eguiklos 10, Sabelina 9, Hermosisima 7, Siruma 4, Resopa 4, Abaya 3, Terso 2, Cornejo 1, Morial 0.
RNW PACIFIC PIPES 61—Dela Cruz 10, Importante 10, Buensuceso 7, Ilagan 7, Sanvictores 6, Viray 5, Del Rio 5, Miranda 5, Zulueta 4, Maiquez 2, Antonio 0.
Quarters: 12-16, 29-31, 51-47, 63-61
Second Game
FREEGO JEANS 61—Camson 14, Austria 8, Alvarez 7, Cabrera 6, Manyara 6, Sumalinog 5, Lopez 4, Brondial 3, Canada 2, Escueta 2, Elinon 2, Apinan 2, Lozada 0.
COBRA 54—Sumido 25; Cubo 6, Santos 6, Kho 4, Tagarda 4, Noble 3, Flores 2, Enguio 2, Casajeros 2, Zablan 0, Nimes 0, Stevens 0, Duran 0.
Quarters: 14-11, 34-29, 51-40, 61-54