Gems, Bombers force sudden death in PBA D-League

MANILA, Philippines -- Paul Zamar capped a spectacular performance by the reserves, scoring on a runner with 20 seconds remaining that propelled Cebuana Lhuillier to an 84-83 victory over the Cagayan Valley Rising Suns on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at The Arena in San Juan.

With the count tied at 82, Zamar, who finished with 14 points and four assists, received the ball on top of the key. With time winding down, he zigzag past Adrian Celada and James Forester before knocking the winning basket.

The Rising Suns had a chance to tie and force overtime when Forester was fouled by JR Buensuceso with 9.4 seconds to play. But the Fil-Canadian guard blew it as he missed the all-important second free throw that enabled the Gems to force a sudden-death for a semi-final berth on Thursday.

Jose Rizal University also forced rubber-match by holding off a mighty charge by Big Chill down the stretch for a 63-61 win in the other quarterfinal encounter.

Jeckster Apinan and Michael Mabulac sank a free throw each in the final 26 seconds to clinch it for the Heavy Bombers after the Superchargers pull abreast at 61-all on a layup by John Brondial with 62 second left to play.

“I thought we played good defense in the closing seconds. The guys are really determined to win,” said JRU coach Vergel Meneses after the victory that kept them in contention for a semi-final berth..   

Khazim Mirza scored 12 points, Dexter Maiquez had 11 and Nard Pinto added 10 for the Heavy Bombers, who overcome poor field goal shooting by going 18 of 21 from the line.

Big Chill also struggled offensively with Arvie Bringas the lone Superchargers in double digit with 10 points.

“We had a tough time in the first half because Cagayan’s bigs are dominating the game,” said Cebuana Lhuillier coach Beaujing Acot, referring to Cagayan’s Raymund Almazan and Mark Bringas. “But I thought we addressed the problem during the break. Again my reserves bailed us out.”

“We seem to play outstanding when our backs are against the wall. Hopefully we could get over the hump on Thursday.”

The Gems trailed by as many 13 points in the first half but rallied strong after halftime behind the inspired performance by their reserves, who carried the fight in the fourth quarter. Cebuana’s bench outscored Cagayans’, 69-29.

Banal showed the way for the Gems by scoring 21 points off the bench.  The Gems also got 12 points from James Martinez , 11 from starting guard Paul Sanga and 10 from reserve center Raymond Aguilar.

“Gab is a big revelation. He can shoot and play multi-position. I think he’ll make it in the PBA,” Acot said of his hard-working forward.

Christopher Eximiniano scored 17 points while Almazan had 15 for the Risings Suns, who shot just 9 of 25 in the second half. But the two disappeared in the second half combining for just seven points.

Starting guard Eliud Poligrates also was a big disappointment. He played just 13 minutes and went scoreless.

The Rising Sun, who enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage, appeared headed to clinch a spot in the next round when they surge to a 38-25 advantage midway in the second on eight straight points by Eximiniano, who had a huge second quarter with 13 points.  

Cagayan still led 63-57 late in the third until they committed four turnovers in their five possessions that touched off an 18-3 run by Cebuana for a 75-66 lead three minutes into the fourth.

Adrian Celeda, who scored all his 12 points in the fourth quarter, strung up 10 during a 12-to-nothing run by Cagayan as the Rising Suns regained a 78-75 lead.

A three-pointer by Banal in Cebuana’s next possession tied the count at 78-78 with 4:50 left in the fourth. Forrester gave Cagayan a two point lead by sinking two free throws 82 seconds later but Jessie Bustos answered with two free throws of his own to tie the game for the last time with 2:59 left.

The scores:

Firsta Game

Cebuana Lhuillier 84 – Banal 21, Zamar 14, Martinez 12, Sanga 11, Aguilar 10, Bustos 7, Custodio 5, Mangahas 2, Buensuceso 2, Rowe 0, Sarangay 0, Leynes 0, Dizon 0.

Cagayan Valley 83 – Eximiniano 17, Almazan 5, Bringas 14, Celada 12, Melano 8, Pasculado 4, Cruz 3, Webb 2, Poligrates 0, Villanil 0, Lao 0, Montemayor 0.

Quarters: 20-23; 42-50; 69-63; 84-83.

Second Game

JRU 63 – Mirza 12, Maiquez 11, Pinto 10, Mabulac 9, Ighalo 8, Villarias 5, Apinan 5, Del Rio 3, Paniamogan 0, Lopez 0, CAperal 0, Almario 0, Miranda 0.

Big Chill 61 – Bringas 10, Collado 9, Brondial 8, Buenafe 8, Semira 7, Nuyles 6, Montecastro 2, Lozada 2, Canals 1, Villahermosa 0.

Quarters:10-15; 24-25; 48-45; 63-61