Rising Suns dim Gems, gain final

Game Monday (San Juan Arena)

3 p.m. – Hapee vs Cagayan Valley

MANILA, Philippines - Cagayan Valley wrested control in the second period then weathered Cebuana Lhuillier’s repeated rallies to fashion out a 103-85 victory in their sudden death at The Arena in San Juan yesterday to seal a title clash with Hapee in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.

Fil-Tongan Moala Tautuaa imposed his will early and scored 22 points while Don Trollano and Abel Galliguez took charge in the clutch as the Rising Suns came up with a follow-up to their 98-93 victory in Game 2 to snatch the second championship berth.

Game One of the finals is set at 3 p.m. on Monday, also at the Arena. 

“It took a jolting defeat in Game 1 for my players to realize that we’re not unbeatable. But I’m glad it happened. It served as a wake-up call,” said Cagayan coach Alvin Pua.

It will be the second finals appearance for the Rising Suns, who lost the NLEX Warriors in the 2012 Foundation Cup.

“Many are expecting us to be in the finals and we don’t want to disappoint them. It was a solid team effort,” said Trollano, who wound up with 14 points.

Adrian Celeda also added 16 markers for Cagayan Valley, which swept the elims, including a victory over arch rival Hapee.

But the Rising Suns stumbled against the Gems at the start of the Final Four, dropping an 85-89 decision last week.

And it took them a gutsy stand in Game Two to foil the Gems’ sweep bid and stay in the title hunt.

“We are all focused and ready to play. Our mindset and bodies are ready for the physicality that we may encounter,” said Galliguez, who hit four of seven attempts from beyond the arc and matched Trollano’s 14-point output.

The Rising Suns battled the Gems to a 25-all count after the first 10 minutes then seized the lead on Michael Mabulac’s layup to start the second quarter.

It was a sorry setback for the Gems, who kept the game close up to the fourth quarter but failed to neutralize Trollano and Galliguez down the stretch.

Cebuana fell behind by 10 midway in the third quarter and was down 47-58 when Gwayne Capacio hit a tough three-point shot to open the second half.

But the Gems refused to give up and battled back to within, 70-73, on two free throws by Allan Mangahas at the start of the fourth quarter.

The Rising Suns, however, recovered their bearing and responded with a 7-0 counterattack en route to victory.

Kevin Ferrer scored 18 points and Norberto Torres added 15 and 13 assists for the Gems, who were outscored, 17-30, in the fourth quarter.

The scores:

Cagayan Valley 103 – Tautuaa 22, Celeda 16, Trollano 14, Galliguez 14, Austria 10, Melano 8, Salamat 7, Mabulac 4, Capacio 3, Dilay 2, Tayongtong 2, Flores 1, Olayon 0, Santos 0.

Cebuana Lhuillier 85 – Ferrer 18, Torres 15, Enciso 14, Mangahas 12, J. Mangahas 10, Zamar 7, Lopez 3, Acibar 2, Villahermosa 2, Sarangay 2, Vosotros 0, Bautista 0.

Quarters: 25-25; 55-47; 73-68; 103-85