Gems drub Bakers to end 2011 on top of Aspirants Cup
Cebuana Lhuillier dominated Café France in the first half on their way to a 93-66 win over the Bakers Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City to head into the Christmas break with a victory in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup.
Vic Manuel scored 16 points, Terrence Romeo had 15 and Jai Reyes added 13 for the Gems who recorded their eighth win in nine games and improved their chances of clinching an outright semifinal slot.
The Gems will wait for January 12 to play their final elimination round final game against the NLEX Road Warriors, who beat them for the title in the Foundation Cup.
A win against NLEX will guarantee the Gems a semifinals berth while a defeat can prove costly depending on how Freego will end its elimination round.
"For us to be in this position and considering that we have 11 new players is already an achievement for us," said Cebuana Lhuillier coach Luigi Trillo. "Our focus now is our upcoming game against NLEX."
Trillo added that they will have a well-deserved 11-day break to celebrate Christmas before going back to practice on December 26.
The Gems enjoyed a 22-14 advantage in the first quarter and pulled away in the second as their defense limited the Bakers to just four points on 2-of-18 field goal shooting.
Mon Mabayo had 23 points for Café France but the Bakers picked up their second consecutive defeat for a 2-5 card.
The Aspirants Cup will return on January 3 with a triple-header at The Arena in San Juan City. — JVP, GMA News
Scores:
Cebuana Lhuillier 93—Manuel 16, Romeo 15, Reyes 13, Taha 10, Cruz 7, Almazan 6, Atkins 6, Jeffries 6, Mangahas 5, Hayes 4, Eximiniano 3, Celeda 2, Llagas 0.
Café France 66—Mabayo 23, Orbeta 13, Parala 7, Jasmin 6, Lucernas 5, Viernes 4, Alquisalas 4, Montilla 3, Dumapig 0, Abundo 0, Lamosa 0, Magbitang 0.
Quarter scores: 22-14, 46-18, 67-46, 93-66.
Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/241815/sports/basketball/gems-drub-bakers-to-end-2011-on-top-of-aspirants-cup
