PBA D-League: NLEX, RnW spoil foes' upset bids

NLEX and RnW Pacific Pipes escaped the upset axe on Thursday as the Road Warriors and Steelmastes defeated separate foes in the 2012 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

 

The Road Warriors blew a 24-point third quarter lead but held on to beat Erase Plantcenta, 85-76, for their sixth win while the Steelmasters overcame winless Cagayan, 90-87, for their fourth straight victory.

 

RnW Pacific Pipes encountered rough sailing against a Rising Suns team still searching for a first win.

"They (Cagayan) played good and we played bad," said Steelmasters coach Pido Jarencio. "We are so focused for our game against Cebuana Lhuillier. Based on the record, the boys thought that it will be an easy win."

The Steelmasters blew an 11-point third quarter advantage but still managed to sustain their lead to improve their mark to 4-2, tying Big Chill, Cebuana Lhuillier and Blackwater Sports for second place in the team standings.

Rocky Acidre scored 25 points to lead RnW Pacific Pipes. Bernett Rogado and John Gonzales chipped in 12 and 10 markers, respectively.

Despite a 67-56 third-quarter lead, after Acidre's basket, the Suns clawed back in the game and tied the count at 77-all on a Mark Dela Cruz lay-up, three minutes left in the clock. RnW Pacific Pipes, however, weathered that Cagayan run and scored four straight points to remain on top.

Cliff Hodge, meanwhile, drained a big three-pointer with 58.7 seconds remaining in the game to keep the Road Warriors undefeated after six games. Hodge finished with 18 points.

NLEX appeared on the verge of an easy win after erecting a 64-40 third-quarter lead but Erase Plantcenta slowly trimmed the deficist and moved within two, 76-74, in the final two minutes of the contest. Hodge, however, saved the day with that booming trey to seal the victory. — JVP, GMA News