Sweet-shooting ex-pro shines as Gems advance in D-League playoffs

MANILA, Philippines – Former pro James Martinez exploded in the fourth quarter as the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems nipped Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 77-73, Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City to formally clinch a quarterfinals berth in the PBA D-League.

The sweet-shooting Martinez, who last played for the defunct Powerade Tigers (now GlobalPort) in the PBA, poured in nine of his team-high 16 points in a searing fourth rally by the Gems.

Cebuana, which registered its first back-to-back wins in the tournament, climbed back from seven-point deficit early in the fourth canto to enter the quarters with an identical 5-5 win-loss cards tied with its victim and Fruitas Shakers, who missed the bus due to inferior quotient.

From a 49-56 deficit, the Gems clamped down on defense forcing JRU guard Alex Malario to consecutive turnovers which ignited their furious fourth quarter rally. The Bombers pulled within one, 71-72, inside the final minute but Cebuana finished off the game with a 5-2 run to escape with the come-from-behind win.   

In the non-bearing second game, semis-bound Blackwater Sports dealt Erase Xfoliant their eight loss in 10 games with an 82-76 win, capping off  up their elimination round campaign with an 8-2 mark behind NLEX Road Warriors’ 9-1 record.

The quarterfinals is set to begin on Tuesday with third seed Cagayan Valley facing sixth seed Cebuana at 2 p.m. while fourth ranked Big Chill goes up against no.5 JRU in the main game at 4 p.m. at the San Juan Arena. Both the Rising Suns and the Superchargers enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage.

The scores:

First Game 

Cebuana Lhuillier 77 – Martinez 16,Mangahas 10, Sanga 9, Leynes 9, Bustos 8, Banal 7, Zamar 7, Aguilar 4, Dizon 4, Buensuceso 2, Rowe 1, Custodio 0, Bautista 0, Sarangay 0. 

JRU 73 – Maiquez 17, Apinan 12, Pinto 10, Paniamogan 8, Ighalo 6, Miranda 6, MAbulac 5, Del rio 4, Mirza 2, Caperal 2, Villarias 1, Almario 0. 

Quarters: 20-19; 34-38; 47-45; 77-73 

Second Game 

Blackwater Sports 82 – Mangahas 14, Ferrer 13, Vigil 10, Ciriacruz G. 9, Mazo 7, Llagas 6, Fortuna 6, Abdul 5, Chua 4, Pe 4, Celiz 4, Bagatsing 0, Lo 0, Ciriacruz I. 0.

Erase Xfoliant 76 – Racal 26, Vidal 14, Najorda 13, Allen 10, Corpuz 9, Bartolo 4, Luib 0, Acidre 0, Stevens 0.

Quarters: 17-16; 38-45; 63-60; 82-76