MANILA, Philippines – The Pharex Bidang Generix and the FCA Cultivators barged into the quarterfinals of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup after booting out separate foes Tuesday at the Arena in San Juan.
In the second game, Pharex crushed the Cobra Energy Drink Ironmen, 96-66, with rhythmic offense from its wards all game long.
James Mangahas had 17 points while Edwin Asoro and Raymund Aguilar each chipped in 14 points.
A strong start by the Bidang Generix set the tone of the match, as it built an early double digit lead in the second quarter.
Mangahas nailed a three-point play off a fourth foul by Cobra’s Paul Sanga to make it, 69-44, and virtually clinched the win.
The Bidang Generix, who will face the PC Gilmore Wizards in the quarterfinals, were also able to weather Ironmen’s top gunner Paul Lee.
“We didn’t expect something like that. We made it tough for Paul Lee. That gave us the chance,” said Pharex mentor Carlo Tan.
Lee, who is expected to enter the PBA draft this season, capped his D-League stint with 19 points before being ejected midway the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, the FCA Cultivators unleashed a ferocious late game rally to hold off the RNW Pacific Pipes, 65-61.
Raffy Reyes launched a triple with under two minutes left that gave the Cultivators the advantage in the last two minutes before Alex Mallari scored on a one-handed drive with 13.8 seconds left.
The sweet-shooting Mallari led with 12 points while Reyes added 11 for FCA, who set up a meeting with NLEX in the next round.
A 16-3 run to finish off the third quarter brought the Cultivators back in the game after they were kept at bay by the Pacific Pipes, which were leading by double digits at the half.
Vic Manuel finished with 20 points and 18 rebounds on a losing effort while Jim Viray, had 12.
Viray misfired on a crucial triple that could have swung the lead back to RNW in the last 20 seconds.
The scores:
First game
FCA Cultivators 65-Mallari 12 pts, Reyes 11, Cole 9 pts, Collado 8 pts, Canlas 7, Gerilla 7, Co 3, Custodio 3, Maconocido 2, Bulawan 2, Pascual 1, Sevilla 0.
RNW Pacific Pipes 61- Manuel 20, Viray 12, Leynes 8, Delgado 7, Importante 4, Ilagan 4, Cornejo 3, Del Rio 2, Musni 1, Tirona 0.
Second game
PHAREX Bidang Generix 96- Mangahas 17, Asoro 14, Aguilar 14, Viernes 9, Taylor 9, Banal 7, Moral 6, Siruma 6, Cabonce 6, Losentes 3, Siruma 3, Losentes 0, Graebel 0, Tecson 0, Montilla 0.
COBRA Ironmen 66- Lee 19, Acibar 12, Bandaying 10, Hermosisa 8, Boloran 7, Foronda 4, Sanga 4, Rosopa 2, Eguilos 0, Reyes 0, Raypon 0, Mendoza 0.