By CHRISTIAN JACINTO
Games Tomorrow (Trinity Gym, Quezon City)
2 p.m. – NLEX vs Boracay Rum
4 p.m. – Hog’s Breath vs CafeFrance
NLEX survived another bruising encounter with Blackwater Sports to hack out a 102-84 win in the PBA Foundation Cup yesterday at the JCSGO gym in Quezon City.
From a tight, see-sawing battle in the first three-quarters, the boys of coach Boyet Fernandez stepped on the pedal in the fourth to pull away for good, leaving the defending champions scratching their heads in utter disappointment.
Led by the duo of Kevin Alas and Art dela Cruz, the Road Warriors opened the payoff period with a vicious 18-4 run aside from holding the Elite without a field goal in the first five minutes to turn the contest into a rout.
While it was Garvo Lanete who led the Road Warriors in scoring with 19, it was Alas who made the difference as he combined with dela Cruz for 15 points in the final quarter.
Ultimately, the rousing fourth quarter run by NLEX frustrated Blackwater players, leading to two flagrant fouls from big men Gilbert Bulawan and Reil Cervantes.
In the first game, Big Chill weathered off Hog’s Breath Café’s rally for an 81-73 win in a rematch of last conference’s semifinalists.
Scores:
First Game
BIG CHILL 81 – Apinan 18, Maiquez 11, Heruela 10, Canlas 9, Lozada 8, Brondial 8,Villahermosa 7, Celada 5, Santos 1, Bonifacio 0, Belleza 0.
HOG’S BREATH 73 – Belencion 11, Canta 10, Gabawan 10, Naiorda 9, Sanga 8, Terso 7, Ruaya 7, Robles 5, Publico 4, Racal 2, Austria 0, Macasaet 0.
Quarters: 23-8; 41-26; 61-50; 81-73.
Second Game
NLEX 102 – Lanete 19, J. Pascual 16, Alas 12, R. Pascual 11, Dela Cruz 10, K. Pascual 9, Long 7, Dela Rosa 4, Ganuelas 2, Amer 2, Koga 0.
BLACKWATER 84 – Bulawan 15, Cervantes 15, J. Cruz 11, Mangahas 10, Pinto 8, Trollano 6, Llagas 5, M. Cruz 3, Ferrer 3, Austria 3, Ciriacruz 3, Manguera 2, Pe 0, Acibar 0.
Quarters: 24-26; 44-48; 71-69; 102-84.