Manila, Philippines - Cobra Energy Drink rode on a big fourth quarter run to frustrate Café France, 74-67, and catch Cebuana Lhuillier at the Group B helm in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Arellano gym yesterday.
Paul Sanga fired the bulk of his team-high 17 points in the fourth quarter where the Ironmen rallied from a seven-point deficit at the onset of the fourth to win pulling away.
The Ironmen outscored the Scorpions, 27-13, in the fourth quarter to post the win and bounce back from their 75-77 setback to the Max! Bond Super Glue last April 14.
“We struggled with our offense in the first half. But the guys didn’t give up. They just kept on going,” said Cobra Energy Drink coach Lawrence Chongson.
Sanga scored 11 points in the fourth and finished on 7 of 13 shooting. He had only six points through three quarters but made four of seven shots in the fourth to spark Cobra’s fiery charge.
Café France dropped to 0-4.
NLEX sideswiped Blackwater Elite, 81-62, in the other game to gain the solo lead in Group A.
A triple by Grevanni Rublico put Café France back in front at 65-64, but John Foronda made two free throws in the ensuing play and Paul Lee
(14 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists) added two more to regain the lead for the Ironmen.
Rublico led all scorers with 20 points, including six triples. But he was shackled in the final down and groped for just six points and one of six shooting in the fourth.