Ex-pro Ballesteros, PBA-bound Chua shine for respective D-League teams

MANILA, Philippines – Jason Ballesteros scored five of Jumbo Plastic’s last seven points as the Giants survived a fourth quarter-meltdown and handed Café France a 74-70 decision on Monday in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao Quezon City.

The Giants led by as many as 17 points in the third quarter but needed a late explosion from the 6-8 center when the going got tough to avoid an upset. Ballesteros finished with 13 points and had 14 rebounds.

“Medyo nag-relax, sumobra ang kumpiyansa. But we need this type of situation as a learning experience,” said Jumbo Plastic coach Stevenson Tiu afterwards.

In the second game, Justin Chua led four players in double digit with 15 points as Blackwater Sports opened their campaign for a second straight championship with an 87-85 win over Boracay Rum.

Jan Colina and Elliot Tan each scored 14 points for the Giants, who notched their second straight win and tied idle Cagayan Valley Rising Suns for first place.

Besiege by sloppy plays, slow defensive rotation and poor shooting, the Bakers played catch-up all day long, until they picked up their offensive rhythm in the fourth and threatened to turn the game around.

Café France trailed 66-56 with 6:10 to play but their pressure defense forced turnovers and enabled them to score 12 of the next 13 points. Two free throws by Josan Nimes with 2:32 remaining pulled the Bakers within 68-69.

After Ballesteros made one of two free throws to make it 70-68, Café France had a chance to tie but Jens Knuttel, who was selected by Ginebra in the sixth round in Sunday’s Rookie Draft, was called for a five seconds inbound violation.

The two teams went scoreless for nearly a minute before Ballesteros scored on a follow-up off a miss by Jopher Custodio.

On Café France’s next possession, Elliot Tan stole off Knuttel then fed off Colina for an easy lay-up as Jumbo Plastic sealed the win.

Eloy Poligrates scored 19 points,Mike Parala had 12 while Knuttel and Nimes contributed 10 apiece for Café France, which picked up its second loss in three games.

Jumbo Plastic took control early as Café France made just 10 percent of their shots (2 of 20) in the first quarter. The Bakers finished the game shooting a woeful 29 percent (21 of 72).

The Elite, who trailed in the second and third quarters, took control early in the fourth with a string of threes.

After Ken Acibar gave Boracay Rum a 66-59 lead early in the fourth, Pari Llagas completed a three-point play, Bacon Austria knocked a 3-point shot and Kevin Ferrer added two more from down town to cap a 14-4 run as the Elite took the lead for good, 73-70, with still 6:43 to play.

 â€œI thought scouting them in their first game made things easy for us. But our plan did not work well with our second unit, so I have to rely on our vets,” said Blackwater Sports coach Leo Isaac.

“And we have to shift from man-to-man to 2-3 zone to break their one-on-one plays, particularly against Chris (Banchero).”

Jericho Cruz and Ferrer scored 14 points apiece, Llagas had 11 and 10 rebounds and Rob Celiz added 10 for the Elite, who made four of their six 3-pointers in the fourth.

A 3-point shot by Roider Cabrera with 35 seconds remaining pulled Boracay Rum within 83-86 and the Waves had a chance to tie when Mark Belo was fouled by Chua while attempting from the 3-point range. But the 6-4 forward missed on his first free throw and the Waves chance to tie went with it.

Acibar led the Waves with 16 points. Belo (10 rebounds) and Banchero (9 assists) each contributed 14 and Maclean Sabellina added 10.

 The scores:

Jumbo Plastic 74 – Colina 14, Tan 14, Ballesteros 13, Petilos 10, Melegrito 7, Romero 5, Chiu 5, Custodio 2, Dehesa 2, MAgat 2.

Café France 70 – Poligrates 19, Parala 12, Knuttel 10, Nimes 10, Ebondo 9, Gallardo 5, Opiso 3, Sarangay 2, Sedurifa 0, Mutombo 0, De Leon 0, Abundo 0.

Quarters: 20-5; 44-30; 58-45; 74-70.

Second Game

Blackwater Sports 87 – Chua 15, Cruz 14, Ferrer 14, Llagas 11, Celiz 10, Austria 9, Ciriacruz 6, Mangahas 5, Pe 3, Avillanoza 0, Manguera 0, Reyes 0, Bagatsing 0, Vigil  0.

Boracay Rum 85 – Acibar 16, Belo 14, Banchero 14, Sabellina 10, Bautista 8, Cabrera 8, Viernes 5, Rosopa 5, Taha 5, Arellano 0, Tagarda 0, Siruma 0.

Quarters: 19-18; 35-40; 59-64; 87-85