Gems zero in on 2nd semis slot

LESTER Alvarez came through in the clutch to lift Cebuana Lhuillier past a hard-fighting Erase Plantcenta squad, 84-77, in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup yesterday at the Treston Gym in Taguig.

Alvarez drained three free throws in the last 61 seconds that helped seal the victory and kept the Gems in the running for an outright semifinal berth.

“It is now up to Big Chill if it wants to advance to the semis; we just put the pressure back on them,” Cebuana coach Beaujing Acot said.

Earlier, Clark Bautista fueled a strong first half as Blackwater Sports routed Cafe France, 96-65, to clinch the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals. With a report from Randolph Leongson

The scores:

First Game

BLACKWATER 96—Bautista 20, Fortuna 12, Pascual 12, Zamar 11, Mandani 9, Celiz 7, G. Ciriacruz 6, I. Ciriacruz 5, Jeffries 5, Lo 4, Montemayor 4, Afuang 1.

CAFE FRANCE 65—Lamosa 18, Mabayo 12, Knuttel 9, Semira 5, Nimes 4, Parala 4, Aquisalas 4, Racal 3, Gallardo 2, Guillen 2, Magat 2, Deutchman 0, Garcia 0.

Quarters: 23-16, 53-36, 68-44, 96-65

Second Game

CEBUANA LHUILLIER 84—Alvarez 17, Llagas 15, J. Mangahas 11, Exciminiano 11, Manuel 11, Miranda 7, Lozada 6, Taha 4, Almazan 2, Celada 0, Atkins 0.

ERASE PLANTCENTA 77—Vidal 18, A. Mangahas 17, Gomez 13, Acosta 12, Sarangay 10, Ferreria 4, Flores 2, Stevens 1, Vijandre 0, Torres 0, Ighalo 0.

Quarters: 22-19, 39-41, 62-60, 84-77