PBA-DL: NLEX sweeps, Big Chill clinches second place

The Big Chill Superchargers sealed their entry into the semifinals with a victory over the RnW Pacific Pipes Steelmasters, 78-67, Thursday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Treston Gym in Taguig. The win gave Big Chill a 7-2 win-loss record and a tie with the idle Cebuana Lhuillier Gems, but the Superchargers advanced to the semifinals outright by virtue of their victory over the Gems in the elimination round. “This is just our short-term goal [entering the semis], but the job is not yet done. We’re not contented by just making the semis. Our ultimate goal is to win the championship,” said Big Chill coach Robert Sison. The Superchargers turned the game into a rout with a 30-13 advantage in the second period for a 43-27 halftime advantage. Keith Jensen had 14 points including baskets late during Big Chill’s 12-6 finish to clinch the victory. In the second game, the NLEX Road Warriors swept the elimination round with a 72-55 victory over the Boracay Rum Waves. The Road Warriors went for the sweep despite being already assured of a semifinal berth, eliminating the Waves in the process. “This is a statement game for us. We want to show that we always strive for excellence. Sweeping the elims is an achievement, but only half of the job is done,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez. It was the first time a team swept the elimination round in the short history of the league. With the defeat, Boracay Rum missed a trip to the quarterfinal round. The Waves ended the eliminations with a 3-6 record, in a tie with the Café France Bakers, Erase Plantcenta and Junior Powerade. Due to the Bakers' superior quotient though, they will be the team to advance to the post-season, leaving the other three teams on the outside looking in.   The scores: First game Big Chill 78 – Jensen 14, Collado 13, Mallari 13, Montilla 10, Villahermosa 10, Ponferada 7, Reyes 6, Tan 3, Viernes 2, Cortes 0, Glorioso 0. RnW Pacific Pipes 67 – Teng 16, Aguilar 10, Colina 9, Delgado 6, Rogado 4, Bustos 4, Ilagan 4, Acidre 4, Buensuceso 3, Elinon 0. Quarter scores: 13-14, 43-27, 54-48, 78-67. Second Game NLEX 72 – Hodge 20, Abueva 18, Lanete 8, Monfort 7, Sanggalang 6, Dehesa 5, Suguitan 3, Long 2, Marcelo 2, Ellis 1, Hermida 0, Co 0. Boracay Rum 55 – Bandaying 19, Siruma 13, Sabellina 8, Eguillos 4, Rosopa 4, Hermosisima 3, Acibar 2, Abaya 2, Morial 0, Cornejo 0, Terso 0, Foronda 0. Quarter scores: 20-11, 42-23, 55-38, 72-55.