D-League: PC Gilmore beats Cobra, remains a playoff contender

PC Gilmore stayed in the hunt for a playoffs berth after beating Cobra Energy Drink, 73-64, in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup on Thursday at the Ynares Gym in Pasig City. The Wizards improved to 2-5 while the Ironmen dropped at the bottom of the standings with a 1-8 slate. "It's tough to face an opponent that feels no pressure. We need to win our remaining games to enter the playoffs," said PC Gilmore coach Art Dela Cruz, who added that Cobra even threatened to steal the game. Sweeping their three remaining games next year will give the Wizards a spot in the quarterfinals. Cobra, however, is already out in the playoff race even if they won the match. Paulo Taha and AJ Mandani, in Je Agas' absence, stepped up in the second quarter and piled up the points to give the Wizards a 26-17 spread. NCAA standout Josan Nimes and big man Jam Cortes carried the fight for Cobra, which played hurt after three of its key players—Jonathan Belorio, Junjun Alas and Shane Ko—are nursing various injuries. JR Sumido and Nimes kept the Ironmen in the game. Sumido ignited a 13-4 run while Nimes fired four three-pointers in the second period. The Ironmen, even with an incomplete lineup, did not let up and matched the Wizards’ every basket in the fourth quarter that resulted to a number of deadlocks. Cortes, who played for PC Gilmore last conference, opened the final quarter with back-to-back layups to tie the game anew at 47. But just as Cobra was finding its rhythm, PC Gilmore guard Mark Cagoco buried a three-pointer that sparked the Wizards’ breakaway. Cagoco led the Wizards with 14 points and two rebounds. The streaky shooter out of Jose Rizal University scored 10 of his total output in the final five minutes. — JVP, GMA News