Jens Knuttel falls to the ground as he and Cafe France teammate Michael Parala (right) battle Informatics’ Mark Benitez for possession. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Jeff Viernes starred in a second-half breakaway as Boracay Rum drubbed newcomer Jumbo Plastic, 87-67, to grab solo third in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup yesterday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Viernes drilled all but two of his 18 points in the second half, including nine in a 17-4 spurt in the third quarter that gave the Waves a comfortable 65-50 cushion.
“I thought Jumbo, being new, is still feeling its way and we capitalized on it,” coach Lawrence Chongson said after his Waves improved to a 2-1 record.
Earlier, Café France picked up its first triumph in two games after rallying to an 84-77 overtime win over Informatics.
Although Café France coach Egay Macaraya said his team has yet to jell, the Bakers got their rhythm just in time to come back from 11 points down in the fourth quarter, 45-56, before taking full control in the extra period where they jumped to a 9-0 start for a 75-66 advantage.
Raymond Maconocido (16 points) and Marion Magat (15 points) teamed up for 13 points in overtime, while Jens Knuttel also delivered with 14 points, five rebounds and eight assists for the Bakers.
John Magbitang nailed his lone basket of the game, a jumper with 19.3 seconds left in regulation, to push the game into overtime, 66-66.
Jumbo dropped to 1-2, while Informatics absorbed its second straight overtime loss after bowing to the Waves, 85-93, last Thursday.
The scores:
First Game
CAFÉ FRANCE 84—Maconocido 16, Magat 15, Knuttel 14, Parala 14, Gallardo 7, Abundo 4, Pagkatipunan 3, Lopez 3, De Leon 2, Silungan 2, Magbitang 2, Cornejo 2, Batino 0.
INFORMATICS 77—Teng 22, Cortes 15, Rogado 13, Matute 13, Benitez 9, Gamboa 4, Camus 1, Cabonce 0, Ablaza 0, Acidre 0.
Quarters: 9-18, 24-38, 45-56, 66-66 (reg.), 84-77 (OT)
Second Game
BORACAY RUM 87—Viernes 18, Eguilos 13, Siruma 9, Cabrera 9, Tagarda 8, Ilagfan 8, Taha 8, Sabellina 8, Arellano 2, Bandaying 2, Rosopa 2, Acibar 0, Monteclaro 0.
JUMBO PLASTIC 67—Mariano 14, Hayes 12, Najorda 8, Escueta 8, Tan 7, Vidal 7, Daquioag 3, Acosta 3, Del Rosario 2, Ignacio 2, Gomez 1.
Quarters: 20-17, 37-38, 65-50, 87-67