Gems repel Ironmen, take outright quarterfinal berth

MANILA, Philippines - Allein Maliksi scored 21 points as Cebuana Lhuillier thwarted Cobra Energy Drink, 73-70, yesterday to gain the top seed in Group B of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the San Juan gym.

The Gems finished the classification round with a 5-1 (win-loss) record and earned an outright berth in the quarterfinals along with Max! Bond Super Glue.

Cobra actually finished tied with Max! Bond at 4-2 but the latter took the other automatic quarters seat via the winner over the other rule.

The Gems overcame a sloppy first half as they outscored the Ironmen, 27-18, to seize command.

Deputy coach Bong Hawkins called the shots for the Gems in the absence of coach Luigi Trillo, who was suspended for one game.

Cobra led at 37-32 at the turn but the Gems recovered in the third period, making 52 percent of their shots (12 of 23) while their defense held the Ironmen to 6 of 14 shooting.

Cebuana trailed, 47-54, but grabbed a 59-55 lead on a 12-1 run entering the fourth.

Paul Sanga scattered 27 points and Paul Lee added 11 for the Ironmen, who committed 19 turnovers.