Gems, Giants trim foes

Cebuana Lhuillier and Jumbo Plastic yesterday needed last-second shots to hack out victories that could prove decisive in their bid for a place in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup playoffs at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Former Jose Rizal U star John Lopez drove in for a lay-up with 3.4 seconds to lift the Gems to an 81-79 triumph over Café France while Jumbo Plastic turned to Elliot Tan for the game-winner in the 70-69 nipping of Big Chill.

Tan nailed the game-winning jumper with 2.1 seconds left as the Giants scored their third straight win and remained on track of nailing a quarterfinal berth.

“The play was meant for Jett Vidal, but it’s a good thing Elliot stepped up,” said Jumbo coach Steven Tiu. “There’s still hope for us and hopefully we get two more wins.”

Fruitas had a relatively easier time against winless Informatics, coming away with a convincing 106-75 victory in the first game.

The Shakers leaned on a balanced attack that saw six players scoring in double figures as they ended a two-game slide and improved to 5-3. With a report from Nico Pascual

The scores:

First Game

FRUITAS 106—Lastimosa 23, Tolomia 18, Escoto 13, Cruz 11, Caram 11, Escobal 10, Antonio 9, Colina 6, Mendoza 5.

INFORMATICS 75—Teng 25, Mabayo 22, Benitez 8, Melegrito 7, Acidre 7, Bartolo 4, Cabonce 2, Morales 0, Altamirano 0, Ibay 0, Acuna 0, Montunao 0.

Quarters: 36-15, 58-26, 81-52, 106-75

Second Game

CEBUANA LHUILLIER 81—Dizon 24, Buensuceso, Jr. 12, Zamar 10, Elinon  8, Martinez 6, Aguilar 5, Lopez 4, Montecastro 3, Sarangay 3, Banal 2,  Bautista 2, Chiu 2, Padilla 0, Leynes 0.

CAFE FRANCE 79—Silungan 19, Parala 16, Magat 9, Knuttel 7, Batino 6,  Lopez 5, Abundo 5, Magbitan 4, Maconocido 2, Cornejo 0

Quarters: 14-18, 35-44, 56-58, 81-79

Third Game

JUMBO PLASTIC 70—Mariano 23, Vidal 11, Escueta 10, Hayes  10, Tan 8, Del Rosario 4, Acosta 4, Najorda 0, Ignacio 0, Gomez 0,  Dehesa 0.

BIG CHILL 69—Nuyles 19, Romeo 13, Bringas 10, Canlas 8, Heruela 5,  Santos 5, Montilla 4, Villahermosa 3, Dumapig 2, Holstein 0, Lozada 0  Quarters: 21-16, 36-36, 55-53, 70-69