Cebuana Gems catch Freego five at helm

MANILA, Philippines - Vic Manuel scored 22 points and Jai Reyes hit two triples late in the fourth quarter as Cebuana Lhuillier held off RnW Pacific Pipes, 77-64, yesterday to gain a share of the lead with Freego Jeans in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Arellano University gym.

The Gems blew a double-digit lead at the onset of the fourth but hung tough in the clutch to repulse the rallying Steel Masters and nail their third straight victory.

The Jeans Makers matched that solid start with a scrambling 72-68 victory over the erstwhile unbeaten Elite as Lester Alvarez scored 15 points and Christopher Sumalinog added 12 markers.

Freego closed out with a 7-1 run in the last 1:51 to pound out the win and drop Blackwater to solo third at 3-1.

The Steel Masters bounced back from a 42-54 deficit to move within, 62-66, behind a 17-6 run capped by four straight points by Jovit dela Cruz with 2:38 left in the contest.

But Reyes, who finished with 13 points, came through with back-to-back triples to give the Gems a big cushion en route to victory.

“We missed all our 13 three-point attempts in the first half. And all of those were open shots,” said Cebuana Lhuillier coach Luigi Trillo.

“But I’m pleased with our half-court defense in the second half. That kind of slowed down Pacific Pipes.”

Kevin Racal led RnW Pacific Pipes with 17 points while Jim Viray added 13 and Dela Cruz chipped in 12 points for the Steel Masters, who dropped to 1-2.