Gems fuel outright semis bid, rip Bakers

MANILA, Philippines—Cebuana Lhuillier leaned on its top three players to get the job done as the Gems routed Café France, 93-66, to boost their outright semifinal bid in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Vic Manuel and the backcourt tandem of Terrence Romeo and Jai Reyes combined for almost half of their team’s output as the Gems strengthened their hold of the No. 1 spot with an 8-1 record.

“For us to be in this position, and considering that we have 11 new players, is already an achievement for us,” said coach Luigi Trillo after his Gems, last year’s runner-up, streaked to their fifth straight triumph.

Earlier, PC Gilmore picked up its second straight victory while eliminating Cobra Energy Drink, 74-64, behind AJ Mandani and Mark Cagoco.

Mandani buried a game-high 17 points and Cagoco had 16, including a key triple in an 11-0 run that pushed the Wizards ahead for good from 53-all.

Coach Art dela Cruz said his Wizards, who joined Café France at 2-5, remain hopeful of reaching the quarterfinals.

“That’s our goal; we think we still have a chance,” said Dela Cruz.

The scores:
First Game
PC GILMORE 74—Mandani 17, Cagoco 16, Celiz 13, Sarangay 6, Acosta 6, Taha 6, Vidal 3, Lim 3, Sorela 2, Foronda 2, Torres 0.
COBRA ENERGY DRINK 64—Sumido 16, Nimes 15, Cortes 12, Enguio 7, Noble 4, Tagarda 4, Cubo 2, Casajeros 2, Flores 2, Zablan 0, Stevens 0.
Quarters: 14-9, 32-30, 45-41, 74-64
Second Game
CEBUANA LHUILLIER 93—Manuel 16, Romeo 15, Reyes 13, Taha 10, Cruz 7, Almazan 6, Atkins 6, Jeffries 6, Mangahas 5, Hayes 4, Eximiniano 3, CelAda 2, Llagas 0.
CAFE FRANCE 66—Mabayo 23, Orbeta 13, Parala 7, Jasmin 6, Lucernas 5, Viernes 4, Alquisalas 4, Montilla 3, Dumapig 0, Abundo 0, Lamosa 0, Magbitang 0.
Quarters: 22-14, 46-18, 67-46, 93-66