MANILA, Philippines - Justine Chua completed a 3-point play 26 seconds remaining to power Blackwater Sports to a 71-67 victory over EA Regens on Tuesday and bolster their hopes for an outright semifinal berth in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Blue Eagle Gym.
“We dictated the game almost throughout and we don’t want to lose our grip in the last three minutes. So I reminded the boys during our last time out to hang in there and keep their focus. They did exactly what they were told. This is a big win for us,†said Blackwater Sports coach Leo Isaac.
“Playing disciplined basketball offensively and defensively is key to our success this conference. It doesn’t matter whether we win by 10 or one point. The bottom line is getting a win.â€
Chua who overshadowed Ian Sanggalang in their match-up, capped his impressive effort with a tough shot over Team Delta’s star center above the free throw line as Blackwater stretched a one-point lead to 70-67. Fouled on that play, Chua made the bonus free throw to practically seal the win.
Chua eventually finished with 11 points, nine coming in the second half . He also had nine rebounds.
Blackwater’s victory celebration turned gloomy after learning that their locker room had been ransacked by still unidentified thieves.
In the other game, Boracay Rum subdued Café France, 55-50.
The Waves trailed 35-29 midway in the third quarter when Toto Bandaying, Paolo Taha and Raymund Ilagan combined during a 13-2 run as Boracay Rum took the lead for good.
It wsas the second straight win for the Waves, who pulled into a tie for third place with Café France with 5-3 records.
“This win doesn’t assure us of anything. But at least it keeps our hopes alive for a playoff berth,†said Boracay Rum coach Lawrence Chongson.
Pari Llagas and Kevin Ferrer also did a good job slowing down EA Regens’ athletic big man Raymond Almazan, who managed just five points and nine boards.
Gio Ciriacruz led all scorers with 17 points while Allan Mangahas was one assists short of a triple-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds for the Elite, who rolled to their fifth straight win and seventh overall in eight games.
The Elite can clinch an outright semifinal berth with a victory against defending champion NLEX Road Warriors on Monday.
“We have six days to rest and make a game plan. We’ll be ready by that time,†Isaac said.
The Elite and Team Delta fought fiercely throughout and the match-up of the team’s big men made it more interesting. Over 40 minutes, the two teams battled through five deadlocks and 20 lead changes with neither leading more than nine points.
Blackwater enjoyed the games biggest lead at 37-28 on five straight free throws by Pari Llagas late in the second quarter.
Sanggalang led EA Regens (4-3) with 14 points and 13 rebounds for his third double-double in the conference. Joseph Terso scored 12 and Clarck Bautista added 10 for Team Delta, which had their three-game winning streak snapped.
Jimbo Aquino gave EA Regens it last lead at 67-66 on a tough jumper over Bacon Austria with 56 seconds remaining.
After a timeout, Allan Mangahas scored in the lane before Chua came up with the winning shot.
The scores:
Blackwater Sports 71 – Ciriacruz 17, Mangahas A. 15, Chua 11, Celiz 8, Llagas 7, Bagatsing 2, Vigil 2, Ferrer 2, Pe 2, Mangahas 2, Suguitan 2, Austria 1, Mazo 0.
EA Regens 67 – Sanggalang 14, Terso 12, Bautuista 10, Aquino 9, Maiquez 6, Almazan 5, Sanga 3, Semira 3, Tolentino 2, Ko 2, Apinan 1, Allen 0, Miranda 0.
Quarterscores: 19-18; 34-30; 49-50; 71-67.
Second Game
Boracay Rum 55 -- Bandaying 12, Eguilos 8, Taha 7, Pascualado 6, Ilagan 6, Sabellina 5, Viernes 4, Rosopa 4, Acibar 3, Fernandez 0, Arellano 0, Tagarda 0, Siruma 0.
Café France 50 – Lopez 11, Knuttel 9, Rogado 6, Silungan 5, Magat 5, Parala 4, Gallardo 3, Magbitang 3, Batino 2, Maconocido 2, Abundo 0.
Quarterscores: 10-10; 27-27; 44