S’chargers turn back Wangs five

Games on Jan, 6

(Arellano Gym)

2 p.m. – Banco de Oro vs Arellano U

4p.m – Hog’s Breath Café vs Boracay Rum

MANILA, Philippines - Reil Cervantes took over in the fourth quarter as Big Chill whisked off a pesky Wangs Basketball side, 75-66, to zero in on the first outright semifinal berth in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City yesterday.

Cervantes poured in eight of his topscoring 15 points in the last period, including a lay-in that stalled the Couriers’ series of fightbacks and gave the Superchargers a 70-65 cushion in the last 3:27.

“Reil has really been very consistent. When we took him in I know his experience (in the PBA) will be a big plus for the team. And the players really look up to him,” said Big Chill coach Robert Sison.

With a 10-1 card, the Superchargers kept their hold of the solo lead although Jumbo Plastic remained within striking distance at 8-2 with a 79-72 overtime win over Blackwater Sports.

Elliot Tan scored 15 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to finish with a game-high 26 points, Jan Colina chipped in 14 markers and Harold Arboleda had 13 points for the Giants, who posted their straight win for second place.

Arboleda’s three-pointer with 61 seconds left in overtime put Jumbo Plastic, headed by team manager Jefferson dela Cruz, ahead to stay, 73-71, before Colina fed Tan for an open jumper to seal the victory.

It was tough loss for Blackwater (4-3), which blew a 63-56 lead in the last two minutes of regulation. The Elite went scoreless in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter and went 2 of 8 from the field in overtime.