Gems, Shakers score in D-League opener

Games on Thursday
(Ynares Arena)
12 nn – Café France vs Blackwater Sports
2 p.m. – Jumbo Plastic vs Hogs Breath
4 p.m. – Boracay Rum vs Informatics


MANILA, Philippines -- Alvin Padilla scored 12 points and Cebuana Lhuillier capitalized on a strong second half to beat Boracay Rum, 68-66, on Tuesday at the start of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at The Arena in San Juan.

In contrast, the Fruitas Shakers needed just 10 minutes to dispose off newcomer Jumbo Plastic, 81-56, in the second game.

Padilla, acquired by Cebuana during the in-between conference break to bolster its backcourt, capped his debut with the Gems with a key assist to Jessie Bustos in the closing seconds.

Bustos, a 6-3 small forward, completed the play with strong stab underneath the basket that shove the Gems ahead to stay, 66-64, with 62 seconds remaining.

“We’re lucky to come out with a win. We’re still inconsistent on both offense and defense. But I thought we made key stops down the stretch,” said Cebuana coach Beaujing Acot.

“Hopefully, this win will inspire the players. It’s important that we trust each other and believe in what we’re doing.”

Excellent shooting was the key for the Shakers in their lopsided victory.

Fruitas made 54 percent of its field goals in the first quarter to open a huge 29-12 advantage at the end of the period and coasted the rest of the way. 

“Nothing special. The team just executed the things we’re suppose to do. Good way to start our campaign,” said coach Eric Gonzales, who called the shots for the Shakers in the absence of head coach Nash Racela.

Anjo Caram scored 18 points, Carlo Lastimosa had 16 and Russel Escoto chipped in 11 for the Shakers.

Aljon Mariano tallied 15 points and Marvin Hayes added 11 for Jumbo Plastic, which committed 21 turniovers that netted the Shakers 20 transition points. 

Acot hopes the Gems would improve on their sixth place finish last conference with the help of their new recruits.

Apart from Padilla, Cebuana’s other new recruits are Gerald Baustista, John Lopez and Gian Chiu.

Bautista, who played for Informatics last conference, contributed 10 points and had three assists.

Roider Cabrera led all scorers with 13 points but missed two crucial free throws in the end game that could have given Boracay Rum back the lead. 

Maclean Sabellina scored 12 and had 10 rebounds while Raymund Ilagan came off the bench to score 10 points for the Waves, who committed 13 of their 19 turnovers in the second half.

Jaymo Eguillos went 3 for 3 in the first quarter to help the Waves open a 26-16 lead. Boracay shot 54 percent from the field in the first half and led 43-37 at halftime.

But the Gems continue to struggle offensively in the third but their tenacious defense enabled them to outscore the Waves, 18-10, in the period and take the lead, 55-53.

Down 64-66 with 45 seconds remaining, Boracay Rum had a chance to surge ahead when Cabrera was fouled by Bustos in the act of shooting from the 3-point range.

The 6-3 forward calmly sank his first throw to make it a one-point game. But he missed his next two shots and with it went Boracay’s chance to win the game. 


The scores:

First Game
Cebuana Lhuillier 68 – Padilla 12, Bautista 10, Martinez 7, Banal 7, Chiu 7, Bustos 7, Aguilar 5, Custodio 3, Buensuceso 3, Zamar 2, Lopez 2, Leynes 2, Sarangay 1, Dizon 0.

Boracay Rum 66 – Cabrera 13, Sabellina 12, Ilagan 10, Taha 9, Eguillos 8, Viernes 4, Arellano 2, Acibar 2, Siruma 2, Bandaying 2, Monteclaro 2, Tagarda 0, Rosopa 0.

Quarters:16-26; 37-43; 55-53; 68-66 

Second Game

Fruitas 81 – Caram 18, Lastimosa 16, Escoto 11, Tolomia 7, Mendoza 7, Pogoy 6, Pinto 5, Caperal 5, Colina 4, Cruz 2, Sentcheu 0, Banal 0, Antonio 0.

Jumbo Pastic 56 – Mariano 15, Hayes 11, Daquioag 9, Acosta 7, Del Rosario 5, Vidal 3, Ignacio 2, Gomez 2, Tan 2, Gil 0, Escueta 0, Foronda 0.

Quarters: 29-12; 43-25; 61-34; 81-56