Suns also rise, dim Gems

MANILA, Philippines - Cagayan Valley shook off a two-week layoff as it thwarted Cebuana Lhuillier, 86-82, yesterday in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the JCSGO gym.

Christopher Eximiniano scored 24 points while James Forester and Jason Melano combined for 32 markers for the Rising Suns, who also made crucial stops in the stretch to secure their second straight win and fourth overall against one loss.

The Gems held an 82-81 lead with 1:36 remaining but Forrester, who had nine points in the fourth quarter, hit a jumper 13 seconds later as Cagayan Valley regained the lead.

The Rising Suns then forced the Gems to two turnovers before Cebuana Lhuillier forward Raymund Aguilar flubbed two free throws with 9.6 seconds left to hasten their downfall.

Cagayan forced Cebuana Lhuillier to eight turnovers in the fourth and 20 for the game.

Forrester finished with 17 points while Melano added 15 for the Rising Suns, who outscored the Gems, 26-19, in the fourth to move up to solo third place behind defending champion NLEX (5-0) and Big Chill (4-0).  

Cebuana Lhuillier got 20 points from Aguilar but Paul Zamar was the only other player to score in double digits with 14 markers as the Gems fell to 2-3.

The Gems took a 57-48 lead with 3:10 left in the third on JR Buensuceso’s three-point play. But the Rising Suns outscored the Gems, 12-4, in the next 2:45 and pulled within one before James Mangahas scored on a putback to give Cebuana Lhuillier a 63-60 lead going to the fourth.