Cebuana Lhuillier’s Gabriel Banal tries to wiggle out of a Fruitas triple team in yesterday’s game at Filoil Flying V Arena. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
BLACKWATER Sports and Fruitas pulled off dramatic victories yesterday to share the early lead even as Hog’s Breath shocked Big Chill in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Fruitas rallied from 22 points down in the second half to stun Cebuana Lhuillier, 75-72, while Blackwater Sports needed an extra period to slip past Cagayan Valley, 89-85, behind Allan Mangahas and Pari Llagas.
Hog’s Breath Cafe, outplayed in its opening game, posted a 69-63 upset victory over a Big Chill squad that came into the game fresh off a huge win over four-time champion NLEX.
Carlo Lastimosa unloaded 22 points to lead the Shakers, who trailed 40-62 deficit in the third period, then limited the Gems to just five points in the final quarter to secure a second straight victory like the Elite.
Mangahas dropped 24 points and Llagas had 22, including a buzzer-beating layup that sent the game into overtime, 82-82. Llagas then added a jumper that put the Elite ahead for good, 87-85, in the final two minutes.
Kevin Racal fired 16 of his 21 points in the second half, the last four on free throws that put the Hog’s Breath up, 66-63.
“I thought we did a good job defensively,” coach Joel Jabar said of his Razorbacks.
The scores:
First Game
FRUITAS 75—Lastimosa 22, Escoto 13, Cruz 10, Pogoy 7, Tolomia 6, Mendoza 6, Colina 5, Caram 3, Antonio 3, Banal 0, Pinto 0, Caperal 0.
CEBUANA LHUILLIER 72—Leynes 11, Aguilar 10, Martinez 9, Padilla 7, Zamar 7, Banal 6, Bautista 6, Dizon 5, Buensuceso 4, Custodio 3, Bustos 3, Chiu 1, Lopez 0.
Quarters: 9-23, 34-51, 51-67, 75-72
Second Game
HOG’S BREATH 69—Racal 21, Pangilinan 13, Belorio 13, Roy 9, Manlinao 4, Pacquiao 3, Eman 2, Robles 2, Lima 2, Rabalo 0, Cayabyab 0, Macasaet 0, Morillo 0.
BIG CHILL 63—Montilla 16, Villahermosa 11, Lozada 10, Nuyles 8, Bringas 7, Canlas 4, Montecastro 3, Holstein 2, Dumapig 1, Santos 1, Heruela 0.
Quarters: 9-13, 34-29, 49-52, 69-63
Third Game
BLACKWATER SPORTS 89—Mangahas 24, Llagas 22, Ferrer 10, Chua 9, Austria 8, Celis 8, Ciriacruz G. 4, Pe 2, Suguitan 2, Singh 0, Bagatsing 0, Vigil 0, Lo 0.
CAGAYAN VALLEY 85—Celada 17, Exciminiano 13, Cruz 12, Poligrates 10, Bringas 10, Montemayor 7, Forrester 5, Lao 4, Webb 3, Canta 2, Del Rio 2, Villanil 0, Melano 0.
Quarters: 13-27, 36-46, 58-58, 82-82 (reg.), 89-85 (OT)