INQUIRER PHOTO/ August dela Cruz
MANILA, Philippines—Its outright bid for a semifinal gone, Freego Jeans settled for the next best thing by drubbing RnW Pacific Pipes, 93-55, to nail the quarterfinal bonus in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Monday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Alex Nuyles buried 11 of his team-high 17 points in the first half as the Jeans Makers (7-3) pulled off the most lopsided win this season and secured the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals reserved for the third and fourth placers at the end of the elimination round.
“We learned our lessons against Café France and focused on our defense,” said coach Leo Austria after the Jeans Makers rebounded from the surprise loss that sent league leaders Cebuana Lhuillier (8-1) and NLEX
(7-1) to the semifinals outright.
“We had a chance at the top two, but at least now we’re assured of the No. 3 position,” said Austria.
In the other game, Ebrahim Enguio fired 19 points as Cobra Energy Drink ended its campaign with a 72-63 win over the skidding Blackwater.
The 38-point Freego blowout was the biggest by a team this season since defending champion NLEX routed Dub Unlimited by 35 points, 97-62, last month.
Despite the loss, the Steel Masters remained in the quarterfinal race with idle PC Gilmore and Boracay Rum at 4-5.
Blackwater absorbed its fifth straight loss after a 3-0 start and must win its remaining games to stay in the quarterfinal hunt.
The scores:
First Game
COBRA 72–Enguio 19, Noble 13, Sumido 7, Cortez 7, Tagarda 6, Santos 6, Cubo 4, Casajeros 4, Zablan 2, Duran 2, Stevens 2, Belorio 0, Flores 0.
BLACKWATER 63–G. Ciriacruz 16, Fortuna 11, Bautista 11, Pascual 8, I. Ciriacruz 7, Acidre 7, Tan 2, Villanueva 1, Camus 0, Bringas 0, Doligon 0, Marata 0.
Quarters: 24-8, 39-18, 47-36, 72-63
Second Game
FREEGO JEANS 93–Nuyles 17, Sumalinog 13, Alvarez 11, Camson 9, Cabrera 9, Apinan 8, Lozada 7, Monteclaro 4, Brondial 4, Rios 3, Austria 2, Lopez 2, Manyara 0, Elinon 0.
RNW PACIFIC PIPES 55–Ilagan 20, Miranda 15, San Victores 7, Racal 7, Dela Cruz 2, Del Rio 2, Vitug 2, Buensuceso 0, Delgado 0, Maiquez 0, Importante 0, Zulueta 0, Semira 0, Antonio 0.
Quarters: 20-14, 48-26, 66-34, 93-55