Blu stops Ana rally, gains semis

Blu Sun Power unleashed a 13-1 blast in the final five minutes to defuse Ana Freezers’ rousing fourth quarter rally for an 83-73 triumph and a slot in the 2002 PBL Chairman’s Cup semifinals at the Pasig Sports Center yesterday.

Aries Dimaunahan provided the spark for the pivotal spurt along with Arnold Calo and Marlon Legaspi as the Detergent Kings assured themselves of the No. 4 spot with a 7-4 win-loss card.

The Freezer Kings bowed out with a 6-5 record.

"Sluggish naman ang laro ng Ana, and it’s really our fault na dumikit pa yung laban dahil nag-relax din yung team. I couldn’t gamble on the second unit but good thing, they got back to their senses," said Blu coach Leo Isaac.

"Malaki ang papel ni Aries. He provided the spirit to get the team back on track," he added.

Blu, which romped off to a hot 25-8 start, controlled the tempo throughout and enjoyed a 62-49 advantage early in the final quarter.

Ateneo, leaning on Larry Fonacier’s 15 points, nipped Kutitap, 67-66, to claim the No. 1 spot in the semfinals in the second game.

Dimaunahan fired a trey that ignited the breakaway while Calo added eight points to stretch the gap anew at 79-66, with 1:05 to go.

Calo delivered 17 points and five rebounds while Legaspi added eight points, eight rebounds and two blocks.

Blu was so dominating that it drew 15 points on fastbreaks, 11 points on offensive rebounds and 25 off Ana’s 16 turnovers.

Laygo led Ana with 13 while Roland Pascual and Robin Mendoza added 11 apiece.