Manila, Philippines - PC Gilmore dominated Pharex in the early going and went on to post a convincing 92-77 victory yesterday and advance to the semifinal round of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Wizards surprisingly played like a well-oiled machine despite coming from a near month-long rest, outscoring the Bidang Generix right in the opening period, 32-19, before sustaining their pace in the second half to chalk up the victory in their knockout duel for a semis berth.
Cebuana Lhuillier scored a 71-64 victory over Freego Jeans in the other match to arrange a Final Four duel with PC Gilmore.
The Gems controlled the game majority of the way but had to survive the Falcons’ repeated rallies to complete the victory.
Allein Maliksi scored 25 points and Narciso Llagas added 17 for the Gems.
Alex Nuyles scored on a drive and hit a triple, putting Freego Jeans within, 46-48, with 4:50 to play in the third. But the Gems countered with their own 9-0 run to pad their lead again to 11 points.
Nuyles and Lester Alvares finished with 15 points apiece for Freego Jeans.
Carlo Lastimosa finished with 20 points to show the way for the top computer retail store, which nipped Blackwater, 99-97, to close out its classification round assignment last May 5.
Mark Acosta also proved sharp, making four of his five shots, including 3 for 3 from beyond the arc to highlight the Wizards’ excellent shooting.
“I’m glad we didn’t show signs of rustiness after the long break. They showed they’re hungry (to win) and that they can win in this league. We just believed and we’re here (semi-finals),” said PC Gilmore coach Richard del Rosario, whose wards finished with 26 assists.