Blu trips Viva, keeps semis hope alive

Blu Star Power rode on the shoulders of Eric dela Cuesta as it survived Viva Mineral Water, 77-71, yesterday to keep its semifinal hopes alive in the Sunkist PBL Unity Cup at the Pasig Sports Center.

Dela Cuesta, a Bukidnon native, provided the firepower for the Detergent Kings all game long as he erupted for 28 points including six in the fourth quarter that broke the backs of the Water Force.

It was Blu’s third win in row after finishing at the bottom of the elimination round with a 3-7 slate.

But more importantly, it was a triumph that forced a knockout duel against the same foe on Tuesday also in Pasig City for the right to join John-O, Hapee Toothpaste and Montana Pawnshop in the semifinals.

The win also puts pressure to Viva, which swept Group A to go into this game needing just a victory to advance.

„Actually patas lang ang labanan pero sa tingin ko nasa kanila naman ang pressure ngayon dahil wala nang isang game pa silang sasandalan,‰ said Blu coach Leo Isaac.

The game also produced a lot of heroes for last year‚s Chairman‚s Cup runners up.

There was cat-quick guard Leo Gatumbato, who made up for a faulty start with a six-point explosion in the final period including a basket that doused the Water Force‚s late surge.

There was also the pair of ageless warriors Rey Mendez and Randy Lopez. Mendez, part of the Isaac-mentored Dr, J Alcohol that beat fancied Tanduay Gold for the Centennial Cup title in 1998, chipped in eight markers but it was his game-high 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals that spelled the difference.

Lopez, for his part, was equally impressive, finishing with 13 points, six boards, four assists and four huge block shots.

A pair of charities by Mendez gave Blu a 70-55 lead with over four minutes to go but Viva detonated a 12-0 blitz that trimmed it down to three, 70-67, exactly 1.05 minutes remaining.

Gatumbato then entered the fray, scoring a basket and a foul shot in a telling 7-4 wind up that sealed the win.