MANILA, Philippines -- The Cagayan Valley Rising Suns have not given up on their aspirations for an outright semi-final berth even after two jolting defeats.
“We have an opportunity to get there (semi-final) so why not go for it,†declared coach Alvin Pua after his Rising Suns stunned the Big Chill Superchargers, 77-59, Thursday afternoon in the elimination round of the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Arellano University Gym in Legarda Manila.
Eliud Poligrates scored a game-high 19 points to lead three others in double-digit and the Rising Suns frustrated the Superchargers with their pressing defense that brought them back into contention for the coveted number two spot.
In the other game, Boracay Rum streaked to third consecutive win with a 82-61 rout over Erase Xfoliant to keep its flickering hopes of making the quarterfinals alive.
Six players led by Jeff Viernes scored in double figures for the Waves, who led from start to finish.
“May pag-asa if we could sweep our last two games,†said Boracay Rum coach Lawrence Chongson of their quarterfinal bid. The Waves improved to 3-5 while dealing the out-of-the-running Erasers their sixth loss in eight games.
The Rising Suns also underscored their billing as the league's top defensive team by limiting Big Chill to its lowest production in the conference.
Their fifth win in eight game cushioned the impact of their successive defeats against defending champion NLEX and newcomer Jose Rizal University before the holiday break kept them close behind second running Blackwater Sports. Tied at third place with Big Chill, the Rising Suns are just half a game behind the Elite.
“We got a good lead early because we played good defense. I kept telling the guys that if we play good defense we will be tough to beat. Im glad they sustained the effort. Hope, this win will inspire them in our last two games,†Pua said.
Adrian Celada and James Forrester came off the bench and contributed 15 and 14 points respectively for the Rising Suns. Joshua Webb had 10 and Mark Bringas pulled down 10 rebounds.
It was a frustrating defeat for the Superchargers, who came into the game aiming for a win to fortify their bid for an outright semi-final spot. But they were soft on defense and appeared rusty, perhaps the result of the long holiday break.
It looked like the Rising Suns were about to rip the game when it built a 31-19 advantage early in the second quarter as Webb completed a three-point play then drilled a 3-point shot and Christopher Exciminiano scored on a layup.
Big Chill momentarily slowed down the Risng Suns by playing zone that allowed them to pull within 30-33 at halftime.
John Brondial scored 14 points to show the way for the Superchargers. Arvie Bringas contributed 10 before being ejected with 4:25 left in the third after picking up with second technical on second motion against his brother Mark.
“I think nobody expected us to reach this far. If we continue playing as team I think we can make it (semis). I kept telling my guys nobody gave you a chance when you were in college. This is your time to shine so seize the opportunity,†Pua said.
The Rising Suns were just ahead 50-47 after three quarters but they riddled the Superchargers with six 3-point shots in the fourth ko keep the Big Chill at bay. The Rising Suns went 11 for 34 from 3-point range while Big Chill made just 3 of 18 3-point attempts.
The scores:
Cagayan Valley 77 – Poligrates 19, Celada 15, Forrester 14, Webb 10, Bringas 9, Eximiniano 5, Chong 3, Almazan 2, Cruz 0, Gusi 0, Villanil 0, Dela Cruz 0.
Big Chill 59 – Brondial 14, Bringas 10, Romeo 7, Montilla 7, Nuyles 6, Buenafe 5, Collado 4, Villahermosa 3, Santos 3, Canlas 0, Cortes 0, Semira 0, Lozada 0.
Quarters: 21-15; 33-30; 50-47; 77-59
Second Game
Boracay Rum 82 – Viernes 14, Siruma 13, Sabellina 12, Acibar 10, Cabrera 10, Ilagan 10, Taha 4, Arellano 3, De Guzman 3, Eguillos 3, Umali 0, Monteclaro 0.
Erase Xfoliant 61 – Vidal 14, Gomez 11, Matute 10, Belorio 7, Racal 6, Babayemi 4, Acidre 4, Najorda 3, Arboleda 2, Stevens 0.
Quarters: 23-17; 45-36; 67-53; 82-61