Games Today (The Arena, San Juan)
12 p.m. – Big Chill vs Hog’s Breath Cafe
2 p.m. – NLEX vs Blackwater Sports
Cebuana Lhuillier failed to score a field goal in the last seven minutes but still hung on to a 60-54 victory over Jumbo Plastic yesterday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at The Arena in San Juan.
Bambam Gamalinda completed a three-point play to give the Gems a 58-50 lead with 7:11 remaining. That turned out to be their last field basket.
The Linoleum Giants closed to within, 58-54, with 2:28 left but that was the closest they got to threaten Cebuana.
“Ang Jumbo Plastic, buo na yan e. Mahirap talaga kalabanin yan, we just got the breaks late in the game,” Cebuana coach Boysie Zamar said.
Alvin Padilla led the Gems with 14 points while Gamalinda added 13. Newcomer Jeff Viernes was the only Jumbo double digit scorer with 17 points and nine rebounds.
In the curtain-raiser, CafeFrance mauled Derulo Accelero, 90-73.
Cameroonian recruit Rod Ebondo paced the Bakers with 18 points, including 15 in the first half where the Bakers took a 45-34 halftime lead.
In the second hal, CafeFrance turned to big man Jam Cortes, new recruit Rocky Acidre and regulars Mac Montilla and Mon Abundo to keep the Oilers at bay.
Cortes added 17 points and nine rebounds, Acidre chipped in 13 while Montilla and Abundo added 11 apiece.
The Bakers held a decisive 22-10 edge in offensive rebounding, leading to 23 second chance points. They also forced the Bakers to commit 23 turnovers which they converted to 25 points.
In the other game, Boracay Rum stormed back from a 19-point second quarter deficit to beat new-look Cagayan Valley, 79-69.
Highly touted rookie Chris Banchero exploded for 22 points as he led the Waves in the second half counter attack. Ex-pro Rudy Lingganay also made good in his D-League return as he finished with 12 points on an efficient 4-5 shooting. Maclean Sabellina and Paulo Taha also added 10 points apiece. (Christian Jacinto)