FRUITAS hardly missed a beat despite a month-long break, downing Informatics, 85-74, yesterday to stretch its winning run to three in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at JCSGO Gym.
Carlo Lastimosa, the league’s top scorer, drilled 23 points and Nigerian center Ola Adeogun hauled down 21 rebounds that went with 11 points, two steals and a block as the Shakers rose to a share of fourth at 4-3 and boosted their bid in the tight quarterfinal race.
In the second game, Dexter Maiquez knocked in Jose Rizal University-Air21’s last four points inside the final 40 seconds as the Bombers nipped Café France, 66-62.
Maiquez topscored with 15, including a key jumper that shattered a 62-62 deadlock, while Jeckster Apinan added 14 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks as the Bombers moved up to seventh with a 3-4 slate.
The Shakers built double-digit leads in the second half even minus Mike Silungan, Jumbo Escueta and Kyle Pascual, who all just arrived from a holiday break in the United States.
The scores:
First Game
FRUITAS 85—Lastimosa 23, Escobal 11, Adeogun 11, Caram 11, Dela Rosa 9, Colina 6, Mendoza 5, Terso 4, Koga 2, Belleza 2, Antonio 1.
INFORMATICS 74—Benitez 19, Rogado 16, Bautista 11, Rublico 9, Del Rosario 6, Hayes 6, Melegrito 4, Ablaza 2, Cabonce 1, Sanghera 0, Cruz 0.
Quarters: 16-20, 40-35, 63-60, 85-74
Second Game
JRU-AIR 21 66—Maiquez 15, Apinan 14, Mabulac 11, Mirza 7, Paniamogan 5, Miranda 4, Pinto 2, Caperal 2, Almario 2, Ighalo 2, Del Rio 2, Villarias 0, Lopez 0.
CAFE FRANCE 62—Pogoy 15, Magat 12, Knuttel 11, Dela Cruz 10, Padilla 4, Parala 3, Antipuesto 3, Alas 2, Gallardo 2, Mendoza 0, Magnitang 0.
Quarters: 11-7, 30-33, 51-49, 66-62