Big Chill reaches dream D-League final

MANILA, Philippines - Big Chill’s quest to play for the championship became a dream come true on Thursday after Superchargers survived a furious charge by the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems in the second half for an 83-80 win in the deciding Game 3 of their semifinal series at the Ynares Sports Arena.

That earned the Superchargers a trip to the finals of the 2012 PBA D-League Foundation Cup against the defending champion NLEX Road Warriors. Game 1 of the best-of-three series is on Monday also at the Pasig Hoophouse.

Alex Mallari scored 20 points despite a poor shooting night (6 of 14) to show the way for Big Chill, which blew several double digit leads, trailed by nine with eight minutes to play but showed tremendous grit and determination down the stretch to inflict the Gems with their second straight defeat in the series and third in four games this conference.

“I’m just proud of the boys. I thought they responded well to the pressure especially in the end game. My key players stepped up,” said Big Chill coach Robert Sison, who pranced the floor after the final buzzer sounded.

“We’re happy about entering the finals. But we’re not yet satisfied. Our ultimate goal is, of course, to get the championship.”

For a brief moment, Big Chill’s finals aspirations appeared threatened after Vic Manuel, the reigning MVP, and Lester Alvarez buried back-to-back 3-pointers to give Cebuana Lhuillier a 69-60 with eight minutes remaining.

It was during that trying moment when Sison reminded his troops about their goal during a timeout.

“I told them this is our dream. We have a mission to accomplished and they should trust each other,” Sison said.

The Superchargers didn’t disappoint him. They quickly responded with 14-4 run highlighted by three 3-point shots. Mallari, who also had seven assists, three steals and one shot block, accounted for two treys as Big Chill regained a one point lead.

In the end it was the team’s collective effort that carried Big Chill to the promise land – the first for the franchise dating back to its days in the defunct Philippine Basketball League.

Jam Cortes, lost in the shadows of his more illustrious teammates, made a good account of himself in the fourth quarter particularly on defensive end while scoring 15 points on 6-for-6 shooting. Guard Raffy Reyes contributed 13 and steadied the team when the Gems were trying to make a desperate comeback while Keith Jensen chipped 11 before fouling out with 2:59 remaining.

“Cebuana played well. And we’re expecting that. This is a do-or-die game. But we didn’t lose our composure and I’m glad we won this game,” said Sison, admitting he thought the Gems were demoralized after losing badly Game 2 (111-70).

The Gems, who rallied from several double digit leads, took the led for the last time at, 78-77, on a basket by Christopher Exciminiano with 3:19 to go.

Five seconds later, Mallari split his free throws to tie it and after the two teams traded missed shots, Jessie Collado, who was hurting in his left wrist, drilled a 3-pointer as Big Chill took the lead for good, 81-78, with 1:39 left.

Vic Manuel, who didn’t play in the opening quarter, led Cebuana Lhuillier with 17 points, but missed several crucial shots including an ill-advised shot off Collado that could have tied the game again.

The Superchargers and the Gems didn’t appear to be playing a deciding game 3 as neither side displayed a sense of urgency in the early going.

Until a 13-3 blast in a three minute span gave Big Chill a 14 point lead after one quarter and a 51 percent shooting gave them 46-33 advantage at halftime.

Big Chill had a 54-40 lead with six minutes to play in the third quarter before Marvin Hayes sparked a 21-4 rally with his energy and hustling defense and Cebuana Lhuillier surprisingly had a 61-58 lead entering the fourth quarter.

The scores:

Big Chill 83 – Malalri 20, Cortes 15, Reyes 13, Jensen 11, Ponferada 10, Montilla 5, Collado 3, Villahermosa 3, Tan 3.

Cebuana Lhuillier 80 – Manuel 17, Taha 12, Hayes 10, Exciminiano 9, Lozada 9, Alvarez 9, Alas 5, Apinan 4, Austria 3, Llagas 2, Mangahs 0, Miranda 0.

Quarters: 23-9; 46-33; 58-61; 83-80.