Zamar, Dixon rally Gems past Bakers

Games Monday (San Juan Arena)

12 noon – Big Chill vs Boracay Rum

2 p.m. – NLEX vs Fruitas

4 p.m. – Blackwater vs JRU

MANILA, Philippines - Paul Zamar and June Dixon took charge in the last four minutes as Cebuana Lhuillier came from behind to beat Café France, 76-68, snap a two-game skid in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City yesterday.

The duo combined to complete a decisive 18-point run for the Gems, who overhauled a six-point deficit and stormed ahead at 74-61, with two minutes remaining in the contest.

“We struggled but at least we’re out of a slump. This is just what we’re praying for – to get back into the win column. Hopefully, we could keep this up against Cagayan on Tuesday,” said Cebuana Lhuillier coach Beaujing Acot.

Zamar scattered 13 of 17 points in the fourth, including two triples in a crucial run. He had 11 in that crucial run including two 3s, while Dizon wound up with 10 markers and snared 11 rebounds for the Gems, who tied their victims and the idle Erase Xfoliant side at 2-2.

Raymond Aguilar, who carried the Gems early in the fourth, finished with 12 points while Jopher Custodio added 11 markers.

It was a tough loss for the Bakers, who were held scoreless in a three-minute stretch in the fourth.

Roger Pugoy led Café France with 19 points while Jens Knuttel had 15 and Michael Parala added 12 and nine boards for the Bakers.

Earlier, Dexter Maiquez poured all but two of his 17 points in the second half as Jose Rizal U rallied to beat Informatics, 86-74, in a duel of struggling teams.

The Heavy Bombers played catch-up majority of the way but outscored the Icons, 29-17, in the fourth to notch their first victory after two defeats to Big Chill and NLEX.

Informatics slid to 0-4.

“We played a terrible first half. No Intensity. The guys thought they can beat Informatics by just showing up,” said JRU coach Vergel Meneses.

“We are two rebounds away from winning our first two games. But we couldn’t get the job done. At least the players learned from it. I thought those two defeats also developed their character,” he added.