Freego gains D-League finals with OT win over Cebuana Lhuillier
Alex Nuyles tallied five of Freego Jeans’ eight points in overtime to eliminate the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems, 69-67, Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City and advance to the finals of the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup.
The UAAP Mythical Five awardee had 18 points, nine rebounds and four assists as he set the pace for the Jeans Makers in the extra session to sweep the Gems in the best-of-three semifinal series.
The third-seed Freego, who won all its games against the second-ranked Cebuana Lhuillier this conference, awaits the winner of the NLEX-Big Chill series to be played on Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Arena.
“We really have nothing to lose because we are not that seeded and our team is really composed of students. I have to give credit to the players because they really wanted to win,” said Freego Jeans coach Leo Austria, who is also aiming to take his first crown since the Welcoat days of the early 2000s in the Philippine Basketball League.
Nuyles, who missed the start of the conference due to a shoulder injury, zoomed in overtime opening with a triple before ending the scoring drought of both teams with a lay-up with 1:46 left in overtime, 66-63, which proved to an enough cushion for the Jeans Makers.
Lester Alvarez chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists while Janus Lozada added 11 points for Freego Jeans, who won the game despite failing to keep a five-point advantage in the fourth quarter.
Terrence Romeo sent the game into overtime with five straight points including two free throws with 1:05 seconds in regulation. Both teams had a chance to win it all in the fourth. Alvarez missed an open short jumper and Eric Camson failed to convert on the offensive board for Freego while Jai Reyes’ runner also didn’t find the mark.
After Nuyles’ baskets in overtime, Freego increased the lead further when Alvarez found an open Camson inside forcing Romeo to contest the lay-up and get the foul in the process. Camson cooly sank two free throws to take the upper hand, 68-66, with 3.7 seconds left.
Pari Llagas began the scoring for Cebuana Lhuillier in overtime with two free throws. He got a break as he returned to the line on a foul by Camson with 2.5 ticks on the clock and Freego in the penalty. But the former University of the East slotman split his charities with 2.5 ticks on the clock.
Cebuana Lhuillier took a gamble calling an excess timeout with 1.3 seconds left as Alvarez converted on the technical free throw. Vic Manuel could not handle the Hail Mary pass of Yousef Taha as time expired.
It was a disappointing defeat for Cebuana Lhuillier as the Gems got eliminated dropping its last three games following an 8-1 start.
Manuel had 20 points and 11 rebounds, Llagas had 18 points and 10 rebounds and Romeo had nine points on three-of-18 shooting from the field.
Scores:
FREEGO 69—Nuyles 18, Alvarez 14, Lozada 11, Camson 8, Austria 7, Brondial 7, Manyara 2, Apinan 2, Sumalinog 0, Cabrera 0, Lopez 0.
CEBUANA LHUILLIER 67—Manuel 20, Llagas 18, Romeo 9, Celada 5, Taha 5, Alas 4, Hayes 3, Reyes 3, Exciminiano 0.
Quarters: 19-13, 34-32, 47-46, 61-61, 69-67.
Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/freego-gains-d-league-finals-with-ot-win-over-cebuana-lhuillier
