Patriots rip crippled Gems

The Nueva Ecija Patriots recovered from the shock of blowing a 27-point lead to subdue the depleted Cebuana Lhuillier Gems, 90-81, yesterday and take top spot in the MBA Second Phase at the Tinga Gym in Taguig.

Francis Aquino, Dave Bautista and rookie Ramil Ferma combined in the fourth quarter to hand the Patriots their second straight win in as many outings while spoiling the debut of the Gems.

Way ahead at 43-16, the Patriots took an offensive slump in the third quarter and allowed the Gems, playing with only eight men, to close in at 66-64.

Despite their horrendous free-throw shooting, the Gems rallied to within two at 66-64 as Carlos Sayon and Chris de Jesus struck.

The Gems, who canned only seven of 20 charities in the third quarter, even managed to move ahead at 67-64, only to fall back as Aquino responded with baskets every time the Gems started a run.

Aquino wound up with 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals and was named best player of the game.

The Gems threatened for the last time at 80-78 on a triple by Al Solis, but Aquino quickly answered with a triple of his own to quash the uprising.

To their credit, the Gems did not surrender up to the final buzzer as Sayon returned from sprain and tried to wage a one-man rally.

The Gems missed Roy Lura, Willie Mejia and Melvin Taguines, all of whom were serving a one-game suspension; the injured Peter Naron and Fil-Am Matt Mitchell, who left without notice for the United States.

Cebu coach Tonichi Yturri suited up former Iloilo Megavoltz Joey Santamaria to help Cebu’s cause.

Sans their usual offensive spunk, the Gems trailed at 43-16 as Aquino and rookie Paolo Malonzo found their mark from long range.

Meanwhile, if the MBA selection will be tasked to represent the country in the coming Southeast Asian Games, the tournament will take a two-week break starting on Wednesday.