Cebuana, Pharex catch D-League leaders

MANILA, Philippines –  Alain Maliksi fired 16 points while Marvin Hayes and James Sena combined for 24 points and 22 rebounds as Cebuana Lhuillier overpowered Cafe France, 83-62, to gain a share of the lead in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Fil-Oil/Flying V Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

Pharex likewise rolled past Black Water Perfume, 100-90, to join the fancied teams – Pacific Pipes, NLEX, FCA and Cobra Energy Drink – in the lead in the early going of the inaugural tournament.

“If you’re facing a team full of college players, the pressure is on us to get a big lead right away,” said Cebuana Lhuillier coach Luigi Trillo, back in the amateur league after steering the same Jean Henri Lhuillier-owned franchise to the 2007 PBL finals.

“Cafe France played well but we focused on our defense in the second half and we made good shot selections for this win,” he said.

Marlon Adolfo, who played college ball for Far Eastern U, unloaded a game-high 25 points while former San Diego State standout Jason Deutchman added 16 points to lead the Bidang Generix to the victory.

“We know Black Water is capable of dominating the board but we were able to turn it around in the second half by playing tough,” said Pharex coach Carlo Tan.

Rocky Acidre and Gio Ciriacruz led the Dioceldo Sy-owned Scent Enhancers by pouring in 22 and 21 points, respectively.

Raymond Aguilar scored 14 points and Chester Taylor and Jeff Viernes each had 10 points for the Batang Generix, who turned the game around by scoring 11 of the first 15 points in the third quarter.