Blu Star rips Nutri-licious, stays alive

Blu Star Power smashed Nutri-licious, 85-56, yesterday to keep its flickering semifinal hopes alive in the Sunkist PBL Unity Cup at the Pasig Sports Center.

Roland Pascual scored nine of his 22 points in the fourth quarter as the Detergent Kings finally came out of the rut and snapped a six-game skid.

But more importantly, Pascual’s heroics moved last year’s Chairman’s Cup runner-up a win closer to joining the topnotcher in Group A in the next phase where the two will dispute a berth in the semis in a playoff, with the Group B leader needing two straight wins to advance.

Defense also played a key role in Blu’s gem of a triumph as Nutri-licious’ key scorers — Nelbert Omolon, Irvin Sotto, Chico Lanete and Ismael Junio — struggled in the face of the Detergent Kings’ tough defensive stance.

"I told the boys that there must be a reason why we were relegated to the stepladder phase, that is to prepare us better because God wants us to be there in the semis," said Viva coach Coy Banal.

In the other relegation group play, Viva Mineral edged Welcoat, 68-64, in overtime to boost its own semis bid.