Villarias explodes as Bombers spill Shakers in D-League

MANILA, Philippines -- John Villarias dropped a huge 36-point bomb as Jose Rizal University blast an undermanned Fruitas Shakers, 100-64, Tuesday in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Trinity University of Asia Gym in Quezon City.

Villarias was red-hot especially in the telling second quarter as he sizzled for four three-pointers to help the Heavy Bombers build as big as 24-point lead. The JRU mainstay came off the bench and went 12 for 18 from the field including 7 of 9 from 3-point range he spiked with six rebounds and three steals in 25 minutes.

“Wala akong masabi. Sinuwerte lang siguro. Sana magtuloy-tuloy,” Villarias said. 

The 24-year old guard's career game surpassed the previous record of 32 points shared by Cebuana Lhuillier’s Jopher Custodio, who set the feat while still playing for Big Chill, and Carlo Lastimosa, who tied it a few months back.

The win was the third in a row for the Heavy Bombers, who gave their coach Vergel Meneses a fitting gift on his 44th birthday. The Bombers stayed in contention for a quarterfinals berth as they climbed to .500 with a 4-4 record tying their victim and idle Cafe France.

“I thought we played good defense and shot well. John got into a zone but it was team effort that got us the win,” Meneses said.

JRU exploited the absence of Shakers' 6-8 center Ola Adeogun, who missed the game with a recurring foot injury, and clamped down on Lastimosa, who was held down to just 4 of 8 shooting.

In the other game, Blackwater Sports zeroed in on the second outright semifinal berth after surviving a third quarter rally by Cebuana Lhuillier on its way to a 91-80 victory.

The Elite zoomed to a 15-point lead in the third but had to withstand the Gems' sparkling rally in the final six minutes of the canto with an 11-5 counter attack.

Robby Celiz and Kevin Ferrer combined for 37 big points for the Elite, who stayed at second spot with their sixth win in eight games.  They need to sweep their last two games against Cagayan Valley and Erase Xfoliant to clinch the remaining outright semifinal berth.

“Our composure and the understanding of the players of our system was the key to this game. Cebuana showed so much determination to win but we just played a little better,” said Blackwater Sports coach Leo Isaac.

Jopher Custodio scored 17 points while JR Buensuceso added 13 points for the Gems, who are now in danger of elimination after falling to 3-5 win-loss record.

The Scores:

JRU 75 –Villarias 36, Mabulac 9, Miranda 9, Paniamogan 8, Apinan 8, Pinto 7, Ighalo 7, Maiquez 6, Dela Paz 3, Del Rio 3, Caperal 2, Almario 2, Mirza 0.

Fruitas 64 – Lastimosa 16, Caram 11, Escobal 6, Silungan 5, Terso 5, Koga 4, Colina 4, Belleza 3, Mendoza 2, Dela Rosa 2, Pascual 2, Escueta 2, Antonio 2.

Quarters: 15-12; 47-36; 75-43; 100-64

Second Game

Blackwater Sports 91 – Celiz 20, Ferrer 17, MAzo 13, Fortuna 11, Llagas 7, Chua 6, Mangahas 5, Lo 3, Ciriacruz I. 3, Bagatsing 2, Abdul 2, Ciriacruz G. 2.

Cebuana Lhuillier 80 – Custodio17. Buensuceso 13, Banal 11, Bustos 11, Martinez 8, Leynes 8, Rowe 7, Zamar 5, Jamito 0, Sanga 0, Mangahas 0, Suguitan 0, Sarangay 0, Dizon 0.

Quarters: 15-19; 39-33; 66-58; 91-80