Boracay Rum leaves PC Gilmore five groggy

MANILA, Philippines – Boracay Rum sustained its quarterfinal quest with Joseph Hermosisima, Glenn Khobuntin and Maclean Sabellina sizzling at both ends as the Waves rolled past PC Gilmore, 71-41, in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Tuesday at the San Juan Gym.

The Waves got off to a 17-10 start and stayed out of reach the rest of the way as the Wizards also shot a pitiful 21 percent from the field in the 30-point blowout.

“Now they (players) know that if they
believe in each other, and they believe in what I preach to them, we can be a force in this league,” said coach Lawrence Chongson after the Waves climbed to fifth place at 5-5.

Cafe France also stayed alive in the tight quarterfinal race as the Bakers tripped Dub Unlimited, 88-77, in the first game.

Jeff Viernes fueled Cafe France’s strong backcourt game with 19 points and guards Lyle Antipuesto and Mac Montilla also combined for 23 markers to lead the Bakers to a 4-5 record.

“The players are inspired knowing we have a chance to make it to the quarters,” said Café France coach Egay Macaraya.

Hermosisima pumped in 16 points and dished out six assists to lead the Waves while Khobuntin (13 points and 10 rebounds) and Sabellina (12 markers and 10 boards) wound up with double-double games.

The Wizards, who had no player finishing in double figures, wrapped up their campaign with a 4-6 card.

Idle leaders Cebuana Lhuillier (8-1) and defending champion NLEX (7-1) have virtually secured outright semifinal berths, the incentive given to the top two teams at the end of the eliminations.

Freego Jeans (7-3) and Big Chill (6-3) have also clinched the twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals, leaving the rest of the teams to fight for the two remaining quarterfinal berths.

The scores:
First Game
CAFE FRANCE 85—Viernes 19, Parala 14, Antipuesto 12, Montilla 11, Dumapig 11, Mabayo 10, Guillen 6, Magbitang 2, Alquisalas 0, Orbeta 0, Lucernas 0.
DUB UNLIMITED 77—Teng 12, Bustos 10, Hugnatan 10, Bolos 7, Aguilar 7, Villahermosa 6, Gomez 6, Leynes 6, Pascual 6, Zamar 3, Tapang 2, Gonzales 2, Melegrito 0, Wong 0.
Quarters: 30-19, 47-36, 69-55, 85-77
Second Game
BORACAY RUM 71—Hermosisima 16, Khobuntin 13, Sabellina 12, Siruma 11, Bandaying 11, Abaya 3, Eguilos 3, Baloran 2, Cornejo 0, Terso 0, Morial 0.
PC GILMORE 41—Taha 6, Mandani 6, Vidal 5, Celiz 4, Agas 4, Foronda 4, Torres 4, Lim 4, Acosta 2, Sarangay 1, Nabong 1, Sorela 0.