BIG CHILL stayed unscathed in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup after a thrilling 81-78 victory over Cebuana Lhuillier on Monday at the JCSGO gym in Quezon City.
Janus Lozada finished with 14 points, while Jeckster Apinan contributed 13 points including a pivotal three-point play in the final minute of the Superchargers' fourth victory in as many outings.
The Superchargers faltered early in the second half but finished strong, unloading a 10-3 run highlighted by a three-point play by Jeckter Apinan for a 80-77 cushion with 34.1 seconds to play.
“They need to know how to close out games,' said Big Chill coach Robert Sison. "‘Yun ang kailangan namin. Kailangan finish strong.”
Big Chill led as many as nine points in the first half but Cebuana Lhuillier came back behind Roi Sumang and James Martinez's back-to-back triples to grab a 75-71 lead with 4:20 left in the game.
“They (Cebuana) played a very good game but my players stepped up. Ang mindset naman is they (Cebuana) really want to come back after that loss to Wang's. We really prepared hard especially sa zone and trapping defense nila,” Sison said.
Mar Villahermosa added 11 points for Big Chill, while Reil Cervantes had nine including back-to-back baskets that tied the game at 75.
Roi Sumang had 20 points but couldn't save the Gems from falling to 1-3 win-loss.
The scores:
Big Chill (81) – Lozada 14, Apinan 13, Villahermosa 11, Cervantes 9, Brondial 9, Maiquez 9, Baloria 7, Canlas 6, Mirza 3, Heruela 0, Santos 0.
Cebuana Lhuillier (78) – Sumang 20, Leynes 11, Aguilar 9, Banal 8, Dizon 8, Zamar 8, Paredes 4, Javier 3, Martinez 3, Olivares 2, Alas 2, Flores 0.
Quarterscores: 19-18; 44-40; 61-60; 81-78.
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