PBA-DL: Cebuana Lhuillier Gems stun Cagayan Valley Rising Suns, extend quarterfinals

The Cebuana Lhuillier Gems outshone the Cagayan Valley Rising Suns, 84-83, and took game one of their PBA-DL Aspirants Cup quarterfinal series, Tuesday, at the FilOil Flying V Arena. The Rising Suns, who came into the game with a twice-to-beat advantage over their lower-seeded foes, were crippled by the Gems via a 27-13 rally in the third period. Down but not out, the Rising Suns went on a 12-6 tear in the fourth quarter. Swingman Adrian Celada dropped seven points, including the three-ball to knot the game at 75-apiece with six minutes remaining. However, mistakes on the defensive end prevented both teams from definitively closing out the game, as James Forrester and Jesse Bustos made key plays for their respective squads. The result was a two-point edge for Cebuana Lhuillier, 82-80, with two-and-a-half minutes to play. With 37 seconds remaining, Exciminiano broke loose in transition and set up Chris Canta for an alley-oop to even the tally anew. The Gems called timeout, and Paul Zamar drove and connected on a floater for a two-point lead. Forrester drew contact on the ensuing Cagayan Valley possession but missed the second free throw, 84-83. The Rising Suns forced a jump ball with 6.3 ticks left, but the Gems came away with the tip. Cebuana Lhuillier called timeout and gave the ball to Paul Sanga on the inbounds play, who was promptly fouled with 1.6 seconds remaining. Sanga missed both from the line, but Rex Leynes secured the offensive board, and was fouled anew. He too missed both free throws as well, but time ran out on the Rising Suns' chances to come back in the game. Gab Banal led all scorers with 21 points, five rebounds and two blocks, including three triples and an 8-of-12 clip from the floor. Paul Zamar added 14 points, five rebounds and four assists, while former Powerade Tiger James Martinez notched 12 points as well for the Gems. Raymond Aguilar tallied a team-high 11 boards. In the first quarter, the Rising Suns surged ahead to a 15-4 lead, led by penetration plays by Ping Exciminiano. Cebuana Lhuillier relied early in the game on attempts from downtown, but Paul Sanga had the lone make for the Gems in the first five minutes of play. Sanga then dropped five quick points, and the Gems changed gears as they started to seek contact in the paint. Cagayan Valley would only score thrice more from the field, only to have Cebuana Lhuillier close the period on a 16-8 run, to trail by just three after the first period, 23-20. The Gems posted an 8-of-11 mark from the free throw line, while Cagayan Valley made 3-of-4 tries after 10 minutes. In the second period, Cebuana Lhuillier couldn't keep up with Exciminiano, who scored 11 points in a 15-5 surge, including three triples to put his team ahead by double figures, 38-25. But at around the five minute mark, it was Cebuana Lhuillier's turn to wax hot from deep. Gab Banal, James Martinez and Sanga drained four treys to pace the Gems in a 14-9 run with under a minute to play. In the last 11 seconds the Gems had a chance to seize the momentum before halftime following an and-one drive by Raymund Aguilar. However, Mark Bringas replied with an and-one of his own to ward off Cebuana Lhuillier, 50-42, after two quarters. Exciminiano led all scorers with 15 points at halftime. The Gems' hot shooting carried over to the third quarter as Paul Zamar strung together eight points, including two triples, to cut the deficit to five, 60-55. Meanwhile the Rising Suns struggled to convert from the field. But with three-and-a-half minutes to play, a post-up move by Jason Melano ended a four-minute drought for Cagayan Valley. Raymond Almazan chipped in a free throw moments later, it would not be enough as the Gems roared ahead to take the lead, 69-63, as a Martinez triple capped a 12-nil run to end the third period. The Rising Suns were shackled, held to only four field goals in the period, including only one in the last seven minutes. In a close game, shooting percentages were crucial for both teams. Cebuana Lhuillier were scorching hot from downtown, making 13-of-36 attempts from deep (36.1 percent) and shot 29-of-77 overall (37.7 percent). Cagayan Valley was only 4 of 20 from three-point distance (20 percent) but had better success inside the arc, shooting 27-of-60 (45 percent) overall. Cebuana Lhuillier made 13-of-25 from the free throw line (52 percent). In contrast, Cagayan Valley made 25 of 32 tries (78.1 percent). The Gems also led in offensive rebounds (22-14) and consequently, second-chance points (11-5). Ping Exciminiano led the Rising Suns with 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Raymund Almazan added 15 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Mark Bringas posted 14 points and nine boards, while Adrian Celada added 12 markers. - AMD, GMA News The scores: Cebuana Lhuillier 84: Banal 21, Zamar 14, Martinez 12, Sanga 11, Aguilar 10, Bustos 7, Custodio 5, Mangahas 2, Buensuceso 2, Rowe 0, Sarangay 0, Dizon 0 Cagayan Valley 83: Exciminiano 17, Almazan 15, Bringas 14, Celada 12, Melano 8, Canta 5, Pascualado 4, Cruz 3, Forrester 3, Webb 2, Poligrates 0, Villanil 0, Lao 0, Montemayor 0 Quarter-scoring: 20-23, 42-50, 69-63, 84-83