Blackwater Sports caught fire in the third quarter and went on to rout Cagayan Valley, 93-70, and clinch the last outright semifinal bonus in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup yesterday at Trinity University of Asia gym.
Starring Jeric Fortuna, Kevin Ferrer and Rob Celiz, the Elite closed out the third period with a 19-5 run for a 60-46 lead following a tight first half.
The Elite sealed the No. 2 spot with a 7-2 record to join defending champion NLEX, which secured the first semifinal berth after topping the eliminations with a 9-1 slate.
Earlier, June Dizon exploded for 27 points as Cebuana Lhuillier kept its own quarterfinal hopes alive by routing Informatics, 112-94.
The scores:
First Game
CEBUANA LHUILLIER 112—Dizon 27, Sanga 14, Zamar 14, Bustos 9, Buensuceso 9, Leynes 9, Mangahas 7, Banal 6, Custodio 6, Sarangay 5, Martinez 3, Rowe 3.
INFORMATICS 94—Bautista 16, Ablaza 15, Melegrito 15, Benitez 14, Rogado 11, Montuano 8, Carlos 4, Hayes 4, Cabonce 3, Sanghera 2, Acuna 2, Del Rosario 0.
Quarters: 32-11, 55-36, 88-66, 112-94
Second Game
BLACKWATER SPORTS 93—Ferrer 13, Fortuna 13, Llagas 12, Celiz 12, Mangahas 11, Mazo 8, Ciriacruz G. 7, Chua 6, Ciriacruz I. 4, Bagatsing 1.
CAGAYAN 70—Forrester 16, Poligrates 10, Exciminiano 10, Celada 8, Webb 7, Almazan 7, Canta 3, Bringas 3, Cruz 2, Gusi 2, Lao 2, Villanil 0.
Quarters: 17-18, 37-31, 60-46, 93-70