Freego survives Blackwater to gain share of D-League lead
Freego Jeans climbed to the top of the team standings after defeating erstwhile unbeaten Blackwater Elite, 72-68, Thursday in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Arellano University Gym.
The Adamson Falcons-backed Freego romped to its third win in the conference tying Cebuana Lhuillier atop the standings.
Lester Alvarez was all over on both ends contributing 15 points, three rebounds, one assist and two steals to lead Freego to the win.
The victory wasn’t easy as the Elite relentlessly put themselves in position to steal the game but Freego scored crucial baskets in the dying moments to come out with the win.
It was Blackwater’s first loss of the conference after opening with a 3-0 start.
“I was expecting this to be a close game because of their high morale. But we scouted them well especially on offense and we were able to defend them,” said Freego Jeans coach Leo Austria.
Jarus Lozada and Eric Camson connected on short stabs that fortified Freego’s lead to three points, 69-66, with 1:36 to play in the game. Blackwater resorted to its primary weapon in three-point shooting on the following plays but they struggled to find the mark all game long.
Blackwater only shot two-of-14 from three-point range.
Clarke Bautista hit a three-pointer at the 4:54 mark for Blackwater followed by Gio Ciriacruz free throws for a 64-63 lead. But Bautista’s triple was later downgraded to a two-pointer during the 1:49 mark that turned a one-point Freego lead into a 67-65 advantage to the dismay of Blackwater coach Leo Isaac.
Bautista’s basket eventually was Blackwater’s last field goal basket before Gio Ciriacruz scored an easy lay-up before the end of the game.
Scores:
FREEGO 72 – Alvarez 15, Sumalinog 12, Austria 11, Camson 8, Cabrera 7, Lozada 5, Elinon 5, Brondial 4, Lopez 2, Apinan 2, Canada 1, Manyara 0.
BLACKWATER 68 – Bautista 14, Bringas 13, G. Ciriacruz 10, Pascual 8, I. Ciriacruz 6, Tan 4, Doligon 3, Acidre 3, Marata 3, Fortuna 2, Afuang 2.
Quarters: 22-16; 32-31; 52-46; 72-68.
Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/freego-survives-blackwater-to-gain-share-of-d-league-lead
