CEBUANA Lhuillier defeated Zambales M-Builders, 95-86, on Tuesday for its second straight victory in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the JCSGO gym in Quezon City.
Roi Sumang had a game-high 28 points as the Gems improved to 3-4 win-loss record as they returned to action following a one-month break.
Sumang was part of the Sinag Pilipinas squad that won the gold medal in the Southeast asian Games last year and the Gems have not seen action since Dec. 3, when they edged Boracay Rum, 68-66.
Six straight baskets by James Bustos sealed the win after the Gems led by just three points. Bustos made it 88-81 on a putback with 1:57 left in the fourth.
Cebuana Lhuillier coach Boycie Zamar, however, was far from satisfied with the close win against a league lightweight.
“Kailangan nila mag-mature. Hindi puwedeng parang college basketball. Higher level na ito, kailangang mag-step-up,” said Zamar.
Zambales now has a 2-8 win-loss mark.
James Martinez had 16 points, while Bam Gamalinda made a fine debut with the Gems by scoring 13 points and grabbing nine rebounds.
Despite 24 points from Mike Tolomia, Zambales couldn’t come up with the victory as it fell to its seventh consecutive defeat.
The scores:
Cebuana Lhuillier (95) – Sumang 28, Martinez 16, Gamalinda 13, Javier 12, Zamar 10, Bustos 8, Leynes 5, Padilla 2, Paredes 1, Casajeros 0, Flores 0.
Zambales M-Builders (86) – Tolomia 24, Cruz 19, Pogoy 14, Ignacio 7, Alabanza 5, Saret 4, Mendoza 4, Gomez 4, Wong 4, Vidal 1.
Quarterscores: 21-22; 45-44; 65-68; 95-86.
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