Cebuana trips Boracay; Café France wipes out Erase

CEBUANA Lhuillier dropped a telling 18-8 bomb in the final three minutes as the Gems turned back Boracay Rum, 70-58, in the PBA D-League yesterday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Kevin Alas fired 20 points and helped defuse the rally of the Waves, who even momentarily took the lead, 45-44, following a Ken Acibar triple.

Reigning MVP Vic Manuel had 16 points and Pari Llagas also came through the pivotal stretch as the Gems joined opening-day winners Blackwater Sports and defending champion NLEX for the early lead.

“[Manuel] really played tough on defense with Llagas,” said Gems coach Luigi Trillo.

Earlier, Jens Knuttel came out with a strong debut to lead Café France past newcomer Erase Plantcenta for a 74-57 decision.

Knuttel shot half of his 12 points in a pivotal 21-7 outburst that pushed the Bakers ahead for good.

“My players are relatively young and we have no stars in the team,” said Café France coach Egay Macaraya. “ I guess that’s why we played with high energy.”

Meanwhile, the league yesterday slapped a three-game suspension and a P50,000 fine on coach Alvin Pua of newcomer Cagayan Rising Suns.

Pua physically and verbally assaulted  referee Jessie Jarabejo in a tune-up game last Monday.

The scores:
First Game
CAFE FRANCE 74—Knuttel 12, Guillen 12, Nimes 11, Parala 9, Semira 8, Mabayo 7, Ighalo 3, Garcia 3, Alquisalas 3, Magat 3, Magbitang 2, Gallardo 1, Parale 0.
ERASE 57—Vidal 17, Mangahas 11, Del Rio 9, Torres 6, Pascual 4, Acosta 4, Sarangay 4, Stevens 2, Dela Cruz 0, Lascunas 0, Flores 0, Gomes 0, Melegrito 0.
Quarters: 15-13, 30-27, 48-45, 74-57
Second Game
C. LHUILLIER 70—Alas 20, Manuel 16, Almazan 8, Llagas 8, CelAda 4, Mangahas 2, Atkins 2, Austria 2, Exciminiano 0, Hayes 0, Apinan 0, Maconocido 0.
BORACAY RUM 58—Acibar 15, Bandaying 14, Siruma 6, Sabellina 6, Cornejo 5, Rosopa 4, Hermosisima 4, Abaya 2, Aguillos 2, Morial 0, Foronda 0.
Quarters: 21-11, 34-24, 42-37, 70-58