Big Chill relied on its superb offense to whip Cebuana Lhuillier, 81-61, last night and tie idle defending champion NLEX for the lead with its third straight win in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Mark Canlas paced five Superchargers who finished in double figures with 18 points, including five that gave Big Chill the lead for good at 39-23 late in the second quarter.
Arvie Bringas added 17 points on top of 11 rebounds for the Superchargers, who shot 50 percent from the field (17 of 34) in the first half and 45 percent for the game in slapping a second loss in three games on the Gems.
Earlier, Cafe France also flashed sustained firepower in thrashing Erase Xfoliant, 73-58, for its second victory.
Roger Pogoy scattered 18 points, Mike Parala drilled in 12, Jens Knuttel added 11, while John Jamon and Alvin Padilla contributed 10 each for the Bakers.
Cafe France also showed better teamwork with 24 assists and outhustled Erase Xfoliant off the boards, 52-45.
Coach Egay Macaraya hoped that with the victory, Cafe France would earn the respect they deserve in the league.
“I thought Erase (Xfoliant) treated us lightly, and somehow that gave the players some confidence,” said Macaraya, who is handling a team made up mostly of rookies. “Hopefully, we could keep this going.”
Café France actually had a lethargic opening quarter and trailed by as many as 10 points before Pogoy hit his stride and the Bakers outscored the Erasers, 27-8, in the second quarter to post a 40-29 lead at halftime.
The scores:
First Game
CAFE FRANCE 73—Pogoy 18, Parala 12, Knuttel 11, Jamon 10, Padilla 10, Alas 4, Magbitang 3, Magat 3, Mendoza 2, Batino 0, Jeruta 0, Garcia 0, Antipuesto 0.
ERASE XFOLIANT 58—Vidal 11, Allen 10, Matute 9, Mendiza 8, Banal 6, Gomez 5, Acosta 5, Alano 4, Arboleda 0, Thompson 0, Vijandre 0, Cornejo 0, Stevens 0.
Quarters: 13-21, 40-29, 53-47, 73-58
Second Game
BIG CHILL 81—Canlas 18, Bringas 17, Montilla 15, Romeo 11, Lozada 7, Montecastro 6, Villahermosa 3, Buenafe 2, Canta 0, Cortes 0, Semira 0, Collado 0.
CEBUANA LHUILLIER 61—Zamar 20, Dizon 16, Buensuceso 7, Bautista 6, Rowe 4, Sarangay 4, Mangahas 2, Aguilar 1, Leynes 1, Banal 0, Daroya 0, Custodio 0, Suguitan 0, Mabayo 0.
Quarters: 16-10, 41-28, 59-45, 81-61