Revellers crush Generals, gain playoff
Che’Lu Bar and Grill’s Ryan Costelo (center) tries to defy Jerome Garcia (right) and Cedric de Joya of Batangas-EAC during their PBA D-League clash at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. PBA D-league image
MANILA, Philippines — Che’Lu Bar and Grill-San Sebastian cruised past Batangas-Emilio Aguinaldo College, 99-60, yesterday to nail its fifth straight win and clinch a playoff spot in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Revellers imposed their will early, racing to a 25-14 lead in the first quarter after the Generals scored the first four points with the former hardly encountering resistance the rest of the way en route to their 39-point romp despite the absence of top gun Michael Calisaan (elbow fracture).
Che’Lu Bar and Grill-SSC thus kept its hold of the fourth spot at 7-3 and guaranteed themselves a seat in the quarterfinals.
“At least we can relax now. We’ve been preparing for this game. With this win, we are assured of the quarters,” said Revellers coach Stevenson Tiu.
Calisaan, who normed 12.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 27.3 minutes of play in eight games for Che’Lu Bar and Grill-SSC, is ruled out for the rest of the conference in a big blow to the bid of the Revellers, who are eyeing a twice-to-beat edge in the next round.
The top two teams at the end of the elims will advance to the semis while the third- and fourth-ranked teams will earn twice-to-beat edges against the No. 5 and No. 6 squads in the quarters.
The Revellers will next face Marinerong Pilipino, currently at third with a 7-2 card, at the close of the elims on April 3.
Samboy de Leon turned in 15 points, eight in the first 10 minutes, Ryan Costelo, Allyn Bulanadi and Alfred Batino each scored 13 while Jayson David added 11 for Che’Lu Bar and Grill-SSC which nailed 15 of their 37 three-point attempts and finished with a 44 percent overall clip from the field.
Cedrick Ablaza and Cedric de Joya combined for 24 points for the also-ran Generals who dropped their fourth straight game for a 1-8 mark.
In a duel of tailenders, Jose Rizal U used a strong finish to beat AMA Online Education, 98-87, for a 2-8 card.
Paolo Pontejos and Jeckster Apinan came up with clutch hits to ward off the Titans’ spirited fightback early in the fourth and restore a double-digit spread for the Heavy Bombers on their way to victory.
The scores:
First Game
Che’lu Bar and Grill-SSC 99 — De Leon 15, Batino 13, Bulanadi 13, Costelo 13, David 11, Collado 8, Faundo 8, Siruma 8, Capobres 6, Lao 3, Ilagan 1, Jeruta 0, Santos 0.
Batangas-EAC 60 — Ablaza 14, De Joya 10, Garcia 8, Dela Peña 5, J. Mendoza 5, Bugarin 4, E. Mendoza 4, Pate 4, Tampoc 4, Altamirano 2, Corilla 0, Estacio 0, Maguliano 0, Martin 0.
Quarterscores: 25-14, 46-25, 73-40, 99-60
Second Game
JRU 98 — Porter 21, Apinan 17, Grospe 17, Pontejos 17, Yu 8, Mendoza 7, De Guzman 6, Dela Virgen 2, Silvarez 2, Esguerra 1, Bordon 0, Sawat 0.
AMA 87 — Manalang 26, C. Escalambre 21, Martinez 16, Andaya 7, Garcia 6, Paras 6, Lao 5, Antonares 0, Quijano 0, Taganas 0.
Quarterscores: 28-13, 53-35, 77-66, 98-87
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