Erase Plantcenta tops Boracay Rum

MANILA, Philippines - Marlon Gomez grabbed a crucial rebound then canned in two charities in the closing seconds as Erase Plantcenta toppled Boracay Rum, 69-66, to boost its playoff hopes in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City yesterday.

Gomez’s endgame heroics came after Boracay Rum’s Maclean Sabellina muffed on a putback off Stephen Siruma’s free throw miss in the last 4.2 seconds of the contest that was close throughout.

Trailing 65-67, the Waves had a chance to tie the game with 8.4 seconds remaining but Siruma flubbed the last end of his charities. Sabellina took the offensive rebound but likewise missed with Gomez securing the ball before being fouled by Siruma. Plantcenta’s power forward then made both charities to close out scoring.

The Erasers, who bounced back from a 76-85 loss to defending champion NLEX, improved to 3-4 (win-loss) for sixth spot. They close out their elims assignment against powerhouse Big Chill and Cebuana Lhuillier.

“I just kept reminding the players to keep their focus. We’ll see what happens,” said Erase Plantcenta coach Yong Garcia.

Allan Mangahas led Erase Plantcenta with 18 points while Macky Acosta added 11 markers.

 Mark Sarangay and Gomez had 10 rebounds apiece for the Erasers, who bucked poor field goal shooting (31 percent) with aggressive defense.

Toto Bandaying tallied 12 points, Kokoy Hermosisima contributed 10 points and Sabellina had 10 markers and 13 rebounds for Boracay Rum, which dropped to 2-5.

Cebuana Lhuillier dominated Jr Powerade from start to finish and came away with a 90-64 romp in the other game.

Reigning MVP Vic Manuel scored 30 points while Lester Alvarez added 15 markers on 5-of-9 shooting from the three-point range for the Gems, who improved to 6-2.

Claude Cubo had 17 points and Mark Lopez added 12 markers for the Jr. Tigers, who bowed out of the quarterfinal race with a 2-6 record.