PBA D-League: Freego, Big Chill seal semifinal seats

MANILA, Philippines—Ferocious on both ends, Freego Jeans and Big Chill clinched semifinal berths with a game to spare following lopsided victories Thursday in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena.

The Jeans Makers rode a hot start to an 87-63 dumping of Boracay Rum Waves and set up a best-of-three duel with Cebuana Lhuillier.

The Superchargers clawed themselves out of an early deficit before blasting Blackwater Elite, 82-62, to earn a first semifinal appearance in franchise history against NLEX.

Interestingly, both Big Chill and Freego Jeans have scored wins against their respective semifinal opponents in the elimination round.

In fact, the Superchargers are the only team to beat the Road Warriors, while the Jeans Makers dealt the Gems one of their two losses so far.

Both the Jeans Makers and Superchargers found no need to fall back on their twice-to-beat privilege in their semifinal quest.

“We got off to a good start with our defense and we were able to control the game from there,” said Freego Jeans mentor Leo Austria.

Jessie Collado fired 15 points as Big Chill, with seven players scoring at least eight points, used a balanced offensive to overwhelm the Elite.

The scores:
First Game
BIG CHILL 82 – Collado 15,Ponferrada 12, Maconocido 9, Mallari 9, Reyes 9, Glorioso 8, Jensen 8, Dizon 6, Santos 2, Tan 2, Custodio 2.
BLACKWATER 62 – Bautista 17, G. Ciriacruz 17, Fortuna 17, Bringas 7, Acidre 6, I. Ciriacruz 6, Afuang 2, Tan 2, Pascual 0, Doligon 0.
Quarters: 9-22, 35-31, 57-39, 82-62
Second Game
FREEGO 87 – Lozada 19, Alvarez 18, Camson 16, Nuyles 7, Austria 7, Lopez 6, Apinan 6, Brondial 4, Manyara 2, Rios 1, Sumalinog 1, Elinon 0, Cabrera 0, Monteclaro 0.
BORACAY RUM 63 – Bandaying 19, Sabellina 19, Hermosisima 7, Terso 5, Rosopa 4, Siruma 3, Cornejo 3, Khobuntin 2, Acibar 1, Abaya 0, Morial 0, Eguilos 0, Baloran 0.
Quarters: 28-8, 52-23, 68-43, 87-63