Gems, Elite reach semis

CEBUANA Lhuillier and Blackwater Sports didn’t need their twice-to-beat edge after all.

The Gems weathered a late Café France Bakers’ surge to come away with an 82-77 triumph yesterday that boosted the Gems to another semifinal appearance in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena.

Vic Manuel fired a game-high 28 points, but it was Simon Atkins and Lester Alvarez that delivered the telling baskets down the stretch that sent Cebuana Lhuillier to a best-of-three semifinal duel with Big Chill.

Using a strong third-quarter, the Elite also nailed a semifinal berth after rallying past RnW Pacific Pipes, 79-69, earlier.

The Elite sealed a duel with the unbeaten NLEX Road Warriors.

The scores:

First Game

BLACKWATER 76—Celiz 12, Fortuna 10, Nabong 9, Pascual 8, Mandani 8, Zamar 6, Bringas 6, Bautista 5, G. Ciriacruz 5, Jeffries 4, I. Ciriacruz 3.

RNW 69—Teng 13, Aguilar 12, Rogado 8, Buensuceso 8, Ilagan 8, Bustos 6, Colina 4, Gonzales 3, Acidre 3, de Guzman 2, Mariano 2, Sanvictores 0, Delgado 0.

Quarters: 13-20, 38-39, 59-49, 76-69

Second Game

C. LHUILLIER 82—Manuel 28, Alvarez 11, Atkins 8, Lozada 8, Taha 5, Llagas 5, Mangahas 4, Hayes 4, Almazan 3, Exciminiano 2, Alas 2, Miranda 2, Austria 0.

CAFÉ FRANCE 77—Knuttel 17, Magat 17, Parala 13, Semira 11, Racal 4, Jeruta 2, Gallardo 2, Guillen 2, Magbitang 1, Lamosa 0, Alquisalas 0, Mabayo 0.

Quarters: 27-17, 44-33, 66-58, 82-77