Hapee, C Lhuillier near title duel

Games Monday

(San Juan Arena) 

2 p.m. – Cebuana Lhuillier vs Cagayan Valley

4 p.m. – Café France vs Hapee

MANILA, Philippines - Second seed Hapee played true to form and crushed Café France, 74-58, but Cebuana Lhuillier stunned erstwhile unbeaten top seed Cagayan Valley, 89-85, as the Fresh Fighters and the Gems moved a win away from sealing a title showdown in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup yesterday.

The Fresh Fighters used their edge in manpower and playoff experience to the hilt as they dominated the Bakers from the second quarter to fashion out the lopsided victory in the opener of their best-of-three semis series at the Ynares Arena in Pasig.

Later in the day, the Gems banked on a strong first half to wrest control then held on to the finish to shock the Rising Suns in their own side of the Final Four.

Simon Enciso poured in 11 of his game-high 22 points in the fourth quarter to help the Gems repel repeated charge by the stunned Rising Suns. 

Cagayan Valley, which swept the 11-game elimination round, actually battled back from 26 points down in the second quarter but ran out of time to complete its comeback. 

“We take every game like a knockout game. I thought the players showed their character and played with a lot of poise,” said Cebuana coach Boycie Zamar.

Allan Mangahas scored 17 points while former La Salle teammates Norberto Torres and Almond Vosotros added 15 markers apiece for the Gems, who led by 19 points in the first quarter and kept a 47-35 lead at halftime.

Jason Melano scored 21 points and Don Trollano had 19 markers for the Rising Suns, who pulled within, 85-88, on a triple by John Tayontong with 18.1 seconds left.

The Gems also held Moala Tautuaa to just five points with the Cagayan Valley reinforcement hauling nine rebounds in his match-up with Torres.

“Cagayan won 11 games in the elims. They are capable of making a comeback so we must be ready,” said Zamar.

Earlier, the Fresh Fighters stamped their class against the Bakers with Garvo Lanete, Troy Rosario and Nico Elorde combining in a big second quarter surge to take command. 

Lanete, who helped NLEX win five championships, keyed Hapee’s breakaway, scoring eight points, including two triples in the second period as the Fresh Fighters outscored the Bakers, 27-10, for a 13-point lead at halftime.

“Our loss to Cagayan was a good challenge for us. It was a wake call that you can be beaten anytime. I thought our defense was awesome. That was the key for us,” said Hapee coach Ronnie Magsanoc, referring to their setback to the Rising Suns in the elims.

Hapee and Cebuana try to seal their title duel on Monday. 

“Café France is disciplined team. They are well coached. I’m sure they will make the adjustments so we can’t lose our focus,” Magsanoc said.

The scores;

First Game

 Hapee 74 – Lanete 20, Park 9, Newsome 9, Rosario 8, Elorde 6, Adeogun 6, Thompson 5, Dela Cruz 5, Amer 3, Long 3, Hayes 0.

 Café France 58 – Sedurifa 11, Ebondo 11, Abundo 9, Alolino 7, Ahanmisi 5, De Leon 3, Andrada 3, Cortes 3, Galanza 2, Celso 2, Noble 2, Jeruta 0, Batino 0.

 Quarters: 12-16; 39-26; 58-44; 74-58.

 Secnd Game

 Cebuana Lhuillier 89 – Enciso 22, Mangahas 17, Torres 15, Vosotros 15, Bautista 8, Ferrer 6, Guinto 3, Acibar 2, Zamar 1, Villahermosa 0, Lopez 0, Sarangay 0.

 Cagayan Valley 85 – Melano 21, Trollano 19, Austria 13, Celada 9, Mabulac 8, Dilay 5, Tayongtong 3, Santos 1, Salamat 1, Olayon 0, Flores 0, Galliguez 0. 

Quaraters: 29-10; 47-35; 73-64; 89-85.