Canlas to the rescue as Big Chill escapes

DEXTER Maiquez (fourth from left) of JRU-Air21 looks in the best position to go for the loose ball in yesterday’s tightly fought game. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Mark Canlas buried a buzzer-beater from underneath as a struggling Big Chill crew pipped Jose Rizal-Air21, 77-76, yesterday in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at Ynares Sports Arena.

Canlas knocked in the Superchargers’ last seven points, including the game-winner after a wild battle for the rebound following Terrence Romeo’s missed jumper.

“We were so tight,” said Big Chill coach Robert Sison after last year’s finalists barely escaped the league newcomer.

Fruitas also survived Café France’s late rally to hack out an 88-82 win in the second game and join Big Chill and opening-day winners Cebuana Lhuillier and Cagayan Valley in the early lead.

Jai Reyes unloaded 21 points, the last six on free throws inside the final 33 seconds, after the Shakers nearly blew an 82-70 edge in the last three minutes.

“It was hard because we still don’t have a complete lineup,” said coach Nash Racela as the Shakers had to do without San Beda’s aces who are still seeing action in the NCAA title series.

Janus Lozada’s back-to-back triples gave the Superchargers their first lead in the final quarter, 63-59.

Rocky Acidre strung up six points to tie the game at 75, before a Dexter Maiquez free throw pushed the Bombers ahead, 76-75, with 20.6 seconds left.

The scores:

First Game

BIG CHILL 77—Canlas 14, Romeo 13, Lozada 11, Bringas 10, Canta 8, Montilla 7, Montecastro 6, Villahermosa 6, Santos 2, Semira 0, Collado 0.

JRU-AIR 21 76—Maiquez 19, Acidre 17, Mirza 10, Apinan 10, Lopez 7, Caperal 5, Villarias 4, Pinto 2, Miranda 2, Dela Paz 0, Almario 0, Ighalo 0.

Quarters: 14-15, 33-35, 52-55. 77-76

Second Game

FRUITAS 88—Reyes 21, Lastimosa 16, Antonio 12, Belleza 11, Colina 11, Paguia 7, Hernandez 4, Escueta 4, Erioubu 2, Terso 0.

CAFÈ FRANCE 82—Parala 22, Knuttel 18, Pogoy 13, Mendoza 9, Jamon 7, Padilla 7, Magat 4, Batino 2, Garcia 0, Magbitang 0, Antipuesto 0.

Quarters: 21-17, 45-44, 63-56, 88-82