PBA-DL: Blackwater Sports advances to semifinals with victory over Café France

Jericho Cruz had a game-high 24 points, and Blackwater Sports advanced to the semifinals with an 89-69 victory over Café France on Thursday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Meralco Gym.

Gilbert Bulawan added 17 points, while Reil Cervantes had 14 as the defending champions Elite set up a showdown with second-seeded Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Giants in the best-of-three semifinals.

Blackwater pulled away for good after a 12-2 run in the second quarter, grabbing a 35-22 lead and never looking back as Café France couldn’t respond to the Elite’s onslaught on both ends.

The Elite also limited Café France’s Rod Ebondo to three points and held the Bakers’ top point guard Mon Abundo scoreless.

“I thought we played disciplined basketball on defense and very potent on offense,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac.

Alfred Batino and Ryan Gallardo each had 17 points for the Bakers, who ended up in the quarterfinals after Derulo Accelero defeated Boracay Rum on the final day of the eliminations on Tuesday. - Reuben Terrado, SPIN


The scores:

Blackwater Sports 89 – J. Cruz 24, Bulawan 17, Cervantes 14, Mangahas 11, Ciriacruz 5, Pinto 5, Llagas 4, Trollano 4, Ferrer 3, Soyud 2, Austria 0, Manguera 0

Café France 69 – Batino 17, Gallardo 17, Cortes 13, Acidre 6, Montilla 5, Jeruta 5, Ebondo 3, Opiso 3, Abundo 0, De Leon 0, Banua 0, Mutombo 0

Quarter scoring: 19-16, 45-31, 66-54, 89-69