Rising Suns burn Shakers, keeps outright semis bid going

Chris Exciminiano vs Kyle Pascual and Carlo Lastimosa. Nuki Sabio/PBA

MANILA, Philippines—The Cagayan Rising Suns needed to sweep their last two games to seize the last outright semifinals berth.

The Suns move a step closer towards their goal after crushing Fruitas, 107-75, Tuesday in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Jose Rizal University Gym in Mandaluyong City.

“Preparation namin sa Blackwater na lang. Naghirap na din kami since first day of practice kailangan lang mag-stick kami sa game plan on both ends,” said Cagayan head coach Alvin Pua.

Cagayan and Blackwater Sports dispute the final outright semis slot on Thursday.

Eliud Poligrates finished with 27 points on nine-of-14 shooting from the field to go along with four rebounds and five assists to lead Cagayan, which led by as much as 41 in the fourth period.

Chris Exciminiano added 23 points, nine in the third period, where the Rising Suns put the game out of reach, 80-48.

Exciminiano also had five rebounds, two assists and four steals.

Fruitas hung around until Cagayan created separation in the second quarter, out-scoring the Shakers, 28-17.

The Shakers missed the services of their center Ola Adeogun for the second straight game due to an injury as well as power forward Martin Antonio, who served his one-game suspension after getting slapped with a flagrant foul penalty 2 in their game against Air21-JRU.

Exploiting their size advantage, the Suns out-rebounded the Shakers, who suffered their second consecutive 30-plus point loss, 55-47.

Carlo Lastimosa paced Fruitas, which is now in danger of missing the playoffs at 4-5, with a sub-par 14-point output on six-of-18 shooting.

Raymund Almazan also had an all-around game with eight points, 10 rebounds, four assists and five blocks.

Fruitas lost to JRU, 64-100, last week.