NLEX repels Cebuana five

NLEX showed it had more than enough firepower even without two of its vital cogs as it repulsed Cebuana Lhuillier in a bruising duel, 76-63, yesterday to stay unscathed in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Playing extended minutes with NLEX missing Calvin Abueva and Ian Sangalang, Cliff Hodge pumped in 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as the Road Warriors rolled to their fifth straight victory that assured them of at least a quarterfinal berth.

The Road Warriors banked on a strong start and sustained their charge in the second half when the Gems found their stride.

“They were playing us tough but the players showed a lot of maturity,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez.

In the first game, RnW Pacific Pipes pummeled Café France, 89-75 to rise to third.

The frontline duo of Raymond Aguilar and Raymond Ilagan threw their weight around the paint as the Steelmasters notched their third straight victory.

Ilagan finished with 18 points while Aguilar topscored with 20 markers.

Things got heated in the first quarter when Gems forward Marvin Hayes was called for a flagrant foul on Chris Ellis. NLEX guard Karl Dehesa was called for a technical foul against Vic Manuel early in the second quarter.

The scores:

First Game

RNW P. PIPES 89—Aguilar 20, Ilagan 18, Teng 16, Buensuceso 15, Acidre 7, Colina 3, Bustos 3, De Guzman 2, Gonzales 2, Sanvictores 2, Rogado 1, Pe 0, Mariano 0, Martin 0.

CAFE FRANCE 75—Garcia 25, Parala 13, Nimes 10, Knuttel 6, Semira 5, Mabayo 4, Jeruta 2, Gallardo 2, Guillen 2, Magbitang 2, Orbeta 2, Magat 2, Ighalo 0.

Quarters: 23-13, 43-29, 61-51, 89-75

Second Game

NLEX 76—Hodge 20, Lanete 13, Marcelo 9, Pascual 7, Long 7, Ellis 7, Monfort 5, Hermida 4, Suguitan 2, Ford 2, Dehesa 0.

CEBUANA LHUILLIER 63—Manuel 21, Llagas 11, Alvarez 11, Celada 6, Exciminiano 5, Almazan 2, Hayes 2, Atkins 2, Lozada 2, Alas 1, Austria 0, Apinan 0.

Quarters: 27-19, 50-29, 65-50, 76-63