R’backs dim Suns, enter semis

MANILA, Philippines - Hog’s Breath Café clamped down on defense to rally from an 18-point deficit as it thwarted Cagayan Valley, 82-79, to barge into the semifinal round of the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Kevin Racal dished out a double-double job of 15 points and 10 rebounds while Jensen Rios, Alex Austria added 12, 10 and nine markers, respectively, as the Razorbacks fought back from the brink to frustrate the Rising Suns and join outright semifinalists the NLEX Warriors and the Big Chill Superchargers.

“We were out of sync in the first half. We’re playing individually and our guards are not making plays. So during the halftime break, I told the guys we can’t beat Cagayan if we don’t play as team. I thought they responded well in the second half, we dictated the tempo and our defense held up,” said Hog’s Breath Café coach Caloy Garcia.

But while Hog’s Breath Café advanced, Blackwater Sports stayed alive as it foiled third seed Jumbo Plastic, 86-78, in the other quarterfinal duel to force a sudden death for the last Final Four slot.

They clash again tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.

Hog’s Breath Café capped its amazing comeback in the final 24 seconds as Rios scored on a tight drive that made it, 80-79, before Austria sealed the victory from the line.

It was a sorry loss for the Rising Suns, who looked headed to forcing a Game 3 after Mark Bringas hit a jumper late in the second quarter to give the Cagayan Valley a 40-22 lead.

But the Rising Suns succumbed to the Razorbacks’ stingy defense in the second half. Hog’s Breath forced 12 turnovers in the last two quarters which they translated to 11 points.

Hog’s Breath Café held Cagayan Valley to seven of 28 shooting (25 percent) in the second half and outscored the Rising Suns, 55-39.

Andrian Celada scored 21 points for Cagayan Valley but misfired from the long range in the closing seconds.

The Rising Suns led, 57-43, late in the third quarter when the Razorbacks made a run and pulled within 61-64 on a three-point play by Gabawan with 8:32 left in the fourth.

Back-to-back triples by Celeda and Don Trollano gave Cagayan a nine-point bulge but the Razorbacks countered with 11 unanswered points that ended with two free throws by Francis Allera for a 72-70 count, their first taste of the lead since 3:30 in the first quarter.

Kevin Ferrer scored a game-high 16 points, Jericho Cruz hit 12 of his 15 points in the third quarter to help slow down the Giants while Pari Llagas and Gio Ciriacruz had 13 markers apiece for the Elite, who never trailed after opening a 25-15 lead in the first quarter.

Mark Romero came off the bench and shared scoring honors with 16 points. Jan Colina and Karl Dehesa had 12 markers apiece for the Giants, who gave up 17 points on 22 turnovers.

The scores:

First Game

Blackwater Sports 86 – Ferrer 16, Cruz 15, Llagas 13, Ciriacruz 13, Mangahas A. 9, Bulawan 6, Austria 5, Pe 4, Manguera 3, Bagatsing 2.

Jumbo Plastic 78 – Romero 16, Colina 12, Dehesa 12, Magat 11, Tan 10, Petilos 8, Arboleda 6, Ballesteros 2, Alano 1, Melegrito 0.

Quarterscores: 15-25; 34-46; 61-73; 78-86

Second Game

Hog’s Breath Café  82 – Racal 15, Rios 12, Austria 10, Allera 10, Gabawan 9, PAniamogan 9, Ruaya 5, Sanga 5, Macasaet 3, Terso 3, Belorio 1, Publico 0.

Cagayan Valley 79 – Celeda 21, Ighalo 11, Trollano 9, Cruz 9, Juico 7, Pinto 6, Melano 6, Bringas 6, Galliguez 4, Mabulac 0, Collado 0, Foronda 0.

Quarterscores: 11-14; 27-40; 58-53; 82-79