Big Chill nips Boracay Rum

BIG Chill’s Mac Montilla goes for a reverse shot off Clarence Foronda of Boracay Rum in yesterday’s game at San Juan Coliseum. August dela Cruz

Big Chill and Cebuana Lhuillier boosted their bid for an automatic semifinal berth with contrasting victories yesterday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the San Juan gym.

Keith Jensen and Alex Mallari continued their solid play as the Superchargers trounced Boracay Rum, 72-66, before the Gems crushed RnW Pacific Pipes, 100-86, in an encounter marred by a postgame melee between the Steelmasters coaching staff and several Cebuana Lhuillier fans.

Both Big Chill and Cebuana Lhuillier improved to 5-2, forging a tie for second behind idle NLEX, which is assured of an automatic semifinal berth.

The loss snapped the four-game winning run of the Steel Masters, who remain in contention for a quarterfinal slot with a 4-3 slate.

“We’re taking a must-win approach to every game,” said Big Chill coach Robert Sison. “We want that automatic semifinal spot.”

Mallari and Jensen again backstopped the Superchargers’ attack in the second half by combining for 23 points.

The scores:

First Game

BIG CHILL 72—Jensen 17, Mallari 17, Montilla 11, Reyes 10, Viernes 5, Cortes 3, Tan 3, Villahermosa 2, Ponferada 2, Santos 2, Collado 0.

BORACAY RUM 66— Bandaying 14, Acibar 9, Foronda 9, Eguilos 8, Cornejo 8, Hermosisima 7, Siruma 5, Abaya 2, Morial 2, Rosopa 2, Sabellina 0.

Quarters: 15-11, 35-33, 56-45, 72-66

Second Game

CEBUANA LHUILLIER 100—Manuel 26, Alvarez 23, Apinan 10, Atkins 9, Exciminiano 8, Lozada 7, Mangahas 4, Taha 3, Llagas 1, Pagente 0, Almazan 0, Hayes 0.

RNW PACIFIC PIPES 86—Acidre 16, Teng 15, Colina 12, Mariano 10, Aguilar 9, Rogado 9, Sanvictores 7, Antonio 4, Ilagan 4, Pe 0, Gonzales 0, Buensuceso 0, Delgado 0.

Quarters: 33-31, 56-44, 78-64, 100-86