Games Tuesday (San Juan Arena)
2 p.m. – Cagayan Valley vs Cebuana Lhuillier
4 p.m. – Big Chill vs JRU
MANILA, Philippines - James Martinez led a sterling performance by Cebuana Lhuillier’s reserve in the fourth quarter and the Gems clinched a spot in the quarterfinals with a 77-73 victory over the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers yesterday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The 6-1 guard scored nine of his team-high 16 points in the fourth to lead a ferocious charge by the Gems, who won successive games for the first time this conference to finish the elimination round with a 5-5 (win-loss) record in a tie with the Heavy Bombers and the Fruitas Shakers, who missed the cut due to inferior quotient.
In the second game, semifinalist in waiting Blackwater Sports defeated Erase Xfoliant, 82-76, to wind up its elimination round campaign with an 8-2 mark. The Erasers finish with a 2-8 record.
“This is a huge win for us. I thought we were able to match their intensity. The players never gave up even when we’re down and we’re rewarded with our first back-to-back win,†said Beaujing Acot, the Cebuana Lhuillier coach.