UNDERMANNED Fruitas overcame a Terrence Romeo-less Big Chill, 83-75, on Thursday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Carlo Lastimosa scored 24 points for Fruitas, which improved its win-loss record to 4-1, behind idle league leader Blackwater Sports (5-1).
Big Chill, which played without Romeo as per an agreement between him and the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, dropped to 3-3.
Fruitas won with just 10 players as John Pinto and Prince Caperal returned to Arellano for their NCAA preparations and Jonathan Banal and Christian Sentcheu nursing injuries.
All 10 managed to score for Fruitas.
The Shakers used a big 15-2 run in the third quarter to take command of the game after a 37-42 deficit at halftime.
“At this point, we are not looking at the playoffs, we just want to win every single game,” said Fruitas coach Nash Racela.
“It’s good for the players. It’s a test of character,” said Racela.
The scores:
Fruitas (83) – Lastimosa 24, Cruz 11, Mendoza 11, Escobal 8, Caram 7, Antonio 6, Pogoy 5, Escoto 4, Colina 4, Tolomia 3.
Big Chill (75) – Montilla 16, Bringas 14, Nuyles 14, Lozada 8, Canlas 6, Villahermosa 6, Dumapig 5, Holstein 4, Santos 2, Bonifacio 0, Heruela 0.
Quarterscores: 13-17; 37-42; 55-53; 83-75.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
