D-League: Gems repulse Titans; Bakers up

Cebuana Lhuillier nailed a sixth straight PBA D-League Foundation Cup victory but only after surviving a gritty stand from AMA University Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena.

The Gems leaned on the clutch play of Simon Enciso to hack out a 97-90 overtime victory that firmed up their hold of top spot with a 6-0 record.

The Titans seemed poised for an upset with a one-point edge with 1:23 left, before Enciso sparked a closing 8-0 run to lift the Gems to victory while sending AMA to a third loss in five outings.

A relentless Café France squad also cruised to a fourth straight victory with a 79-55 rout of Liver Marin in the second game.

Using a fiery start, the Bakers improved to 4-1 and tightened their grip of second spot while boosting their bid for the other outright semifinal spot.

Mo Tautuua delivered another monster game with 30 points and 19 boards but it was Enciso who buried the biggest baskets, including a short jumper over Dexter Maiquez that put Cebuana ahead to stay, 91-90, with 67 seconds remaining in the extra period.

Enciso nailed another basket off a Tautuaa steal with 39 seconds remaining to wrap up the victory.

“I thought he (Enciso) made good decisions with the game on the line,” said Gems coach Boycie Zamar. “He didn’t mature the way we expected in the last conference. But we challenged him to step up this conference and he’s responding well.”

Paul Zamar also tallied 18 points for the Gems.

The scores:

First Game

CEBUANA LHUILLIER 97—Tautuaa 30, Zamr 18, Vosotros 12, Corpuz 10, Torres 10, Encis0 9, J. Mangahas 8, A. Mangahas 0, Bautista 0, Sarangay 0.

AMA 90—Maiquez 22, King 17, Asuncion 17, Martinez 12, Camasura 11, Taganas 8, Sison 3, Quijano 0, Rosales 0.

Quarters: 22-23, 41-37, 63-59, 97-90.

Second Game

CAFE FRANCE 79—De Leon 18, Ahanmisi 15, Miranda 10, Sedurifa 10, Noble 8, Cortez 6, Galanza 4, Ebondo 4, Jeruta 2, Andrada 2, Celso 0, Abundo 0, Batino 0.

LIVER MARIN 55—Ortuoste 14, Guinto 9, Rios 9, Bangga 9, Costelo 5, Fabian 3, Dela Cruz 2, Calisaan 2, Santos 2, Ignacio 0, Balucanag 0, De Vera 0, Laude 0.

Quarters: 23-13, 46-26, 65-42, 79-55