CEBUANA LHUILLIER kept its quarterfinal hopes alive with a 112-94 win over Informatics on Thursday in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Trinity University of Asia gym.
The Gems posted a 32-11 lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back, improving their record to 4-5 and joining Fruitas, Café France, and Boracay Rum in sixth place.
Cebuana Lhuillier will take on Jose Rizal University on January 31 at the Ynares Sports Arena in a possible do-or-die match-up.
JRU, which is in a tie with Big Chill for fourth place in the standings, also needs the victory as it could give the team a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Head coach Beaujing Acot believes that it is still not too late for the Gems as the team gets back in form after a few of their players suffered injuries.
“We don’t want to look too much ahead. Ngayon palang kami nakaka-recover at na-bubuo. I just hope that sa JRU game, buo kami,” said Acot, dedicating the victory to his mother-in-law Soledad Sandico, who passed away on Wednesday.
The third to sixth placers will move to the quarterfinals with the top two teams claiming a twice-to-beat edge in their match-up.
June Dizon notched a game-high 27 points for the Gems, who also got 14 points from Paul Sanga and Paul Zamar, and 11 rebounds from Jessie Bustos.
Informatics, which was coming off a stunning upset over Big Chill last week, wrapped up the eliminations with a 1-9 win-loss slate.
The scores:
Cebuana Lhuillier (112) – Dizon 27, Sanga 14, Zamar 14, Bustos 9, Buensuceso 9, Leynes 9, Mangahas 7, Banal 6, Custodio 6, Sarangay 5, Martinez 3, Rowe 3.
Informatics (94) – Bautista 16, Ablaza 15, Melegrito 15, Benitez 14, Rogado 11, Montuano 8, Carlos 4, Hayes 4, Cabonce 3, Sanghera 2, Acuna 2, Del Rosario 0, Rublico 0.
Quarterscores: 32-11; 55-36; 88-66; 112-94.
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