BYRON Villarias showed why NLEX, despite its already-talented roster, was so determined to sign him just before the PBA D-League Foundation Cup.
The former Jose Rizal University gunner nailed a flurry of triples in the second half to propel the Road Warriors past Blackwater Elite, 81-73, yesterday at Ateneo’s Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
Villarias scored all his 12 points in the second half as the Road Warriors notched their sixth straight win while stalling Blackwater’s bid to gain outright semifinal entry.
EA Regen, drawing huge games from big men Ian Sangalang and Raymond Almazan, rebounded with an 88-82 decision of Informatics even as Fruitas posted its third straight win at the expense of Hog’s Breath, 70-53.
The victories gave EA Regen and Fruitas a glimmer of hope in their bid to make the semifinals. With reports from Nicolo Pascual, Carla Perez and Nikka Valenzuela
The scores:
First Game
FRUITAS 70—Lastimosa 15, Escobal 13, Caram 12, Escoto 9, Tolomia 5, Cruz 5, Pogoy 5, Antonio 4, Colina 2, Mendoza 0.
HOG’S BREATH 53—Lima 11, Malinao 9, Morillo 9, Roy 7, Robles 6, Armecin 3, Pacquiao 3, Cayabyab 3, Belorio 2, Eman 0, Alguno 0, Pangilinan 0, Macasaet 0.
Quarters: 14-22, 37-35, 49-45, 70-53
Second Game
NLEX 81—Lanete 17, Salva 16, Alas 13, Villarias 12, CAmson 10, Ganuelas 4, Pascual J. 4, Hermida 2, Garcia 2, Long 1, Pascual R. 0.
BLACKWATER SPORTS 73—Mangahas A. 17, Chua 15, Llagas 9, Ferrer 8, Ciriacruz 8, Celiz 8, Vigil 2, Mangahas J. 2, Suguitan 2, Pe 1, Austria 1, Bagatsing 0.
Quarters: 19-20, 35-32, 62-58, 81-73
Third Game
EA REGEN 88—Sangalang 27, Almazan 19, Aquino 18, Tolentino 6, Terso 6, Juico 5, Allen 5, Ko 1, Bautista 1, Sanga 0, Semira 0, Miranda 0, Maiquez 0
INFORMATICS 82—Teng 23, Benitez 19, Mabayo 15, Acidre 14, Ibay 6, Altamirano 3, Ablaza 2, Morales 0, Montuano 0, Gamboa 0, Melegrito 0
Quarters: 20-17, 33-39, 58-52, 88-82