D-League: Fruitas just too hot for Big Chill

CARLO Lastimosa ignited a third-quarter rally that carried Fruitas past Big Chill, 83-75, and to solo second yesterday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup  at Ynares Sports Arena.

Lastimosa, who finished with 24 points, sparked a 10-3 run at the start of the second half as the Shakers forged ahead to stay at 47-45 after trailing 37-42 at halftime.

Carl Cruz and Gryann Mendoza also chipped in 11 points each as the Shakers moved within striking distance of idle leader Blackwater Sports (5-1) with a 4-1 record.

In the second game, newcomer EA Regens Med stunned last conference’s finalist Cagayan Valley with a 103-92 decision.

Clark Bautista drilled in 25 points to lead EA Regens which led all the way after a surprising 21-9 start.

Big men Raymond Almazan (20 points, 19 rebounds and four blocks) and Ian Sangalang (17 points and 11 boards) came away with huge double-double efforts for EA Regens, which clinched only a second win in four outings.

Cagayan Valley and Big Chill, two of the favored squads this conference, dropped to a share of seventh with 3-3 cards.

Only the top six teams in the 12-team field will advance to the next round at the end of the single round-robin eliminations.

The Superchargers played minus main man Terrence Romeo due to an agreement with the Shakers not to pit the topnotch Far Eastern University guard against the FEU-based Fruitas.

The scores:

First Game

FRUITAS 83—Lastimosa 24, Cruz 11, Mendoza 11, Escobal 8, Caram 7, Antonio 6, Pogoy 5, Escoto 4, Colina 4, Tolomia 3.

BIG CHILL 75—Montilla 16, Bringas 14, Nuyles 14, Lozada 8, Canlas 6, Villahermosa 6, Dumapig 5, Holstein 4, Santos 2, Bonifacio 0, Heruela 0.

Quarters: 13-17, 37-42, 55-53, 83-75

Second Game

EA REGENS MED 103—Bautista 25, Almazan 20, Sangalang 17, Aquino 15, Ko 12, Apinan 6, Miranda 4, Mirza 2, Terso 2, Sanga 0, Semira 0.

CAGAYAN VALLEY 92—Cruz 19, Poligrates 15, Webb 13, Celada 12, Exciminiano 10, Bringas 9, Lao 7, Melano 4, Canta 2, Montemayor 1, Jamito 0, Villanil 0.

Quarters: 27-21, 51-43, 75-70, 103-92