Gems dazzle Bakers

Paul Zamar and June Dizon teamed up in a late-game blitz to power Cebuana Lhuillier past Café France, 76-68, in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup yesterday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Zamar and Dizon accounted for all of the 18 straight points in the final quarter by the Gems, who pulled ahead for good, 74-61, after playing catch up for three quarters.

“We struggled, but at least we’re out of a slump,” said coach Beaujing Acot after his Gems halted a two-game slide to tie their victims at 2-2.

Earlier, Dexter Maiquez also fueled a second-half rally as Jose Rizal University-Air21 foiled Informatics, 86-74, to snap its winless skid.

Maiquez dropped all but two of his 17 points in the final two quarters to lead the Heavy Bombers to their first triumph in three games.

The Icons, who nearly upset defending champion NLEX two days earlier, joined idle Boracay Rum at 0-4.

The scores:

First Game

JRU-AIR21 86—Maiquez 17, Apinan 17, Almario 11, Pinto 8, Acidre 8, Villarias 6, Ighalo 6, Mirza 6, Lopez 5, Miranda 2, Mabulac 0.

INFORMATICS 74—Hayes 15, Melegrito 12, Del Rosario 11, Rogado 10, Cruz 8, Mangahas 6, Bautista 4, Benitez 4, Carlos 2, Marquez 2, Ibay 0, Sanghera 0.

Quarters: 19-21, 32-39, 57-57, 86-74

Second Game

CEBUANA LHUILLIER 76—Zamar 17, Aguilar 12, Custodio 11, Dizon 10, Banal 6, Buensuceso 6, Sarangay 4, Tagarda 2, Mangahas 2, Bautista 2, Mabayo 2, Leybnes 2, Rowe 0.

CAFE FRANCE 68—Pogoy 19, Knuttel 15, Parala 12, Mendoza 5, Jamon 5, Alas 4, Magbitang 3, Jureta 2, Magat 2, Antipuesto 1, Padilla 0, Gallardo 0.

Quarters: 6-13, 26-26, 43-46, 76-68