PBA D-League: Freego trips Maynilad, to face Gems in quarterfinals

Lester Alvarez had a field day from beyond the arc to lead Freego Jeans to an 88-81 win over Maynilad in their knockout playoff game in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup on Thursday at The Arena in San Juan City. Alvarez converted six of his 11 tries from three-point range to finish with 25 points as Freego, which is composed mostly of Adamson University players, arranged a quarterfinal meeting with Group A topnotcher Cebuana Lhuillier (5-1). With the Falcons down by two, 51-49, Alvarez teamed up with Eric Camson and Alex Nuyles in a telling 17-2 run as Freego enjoyed a 66-43 spread with three minutes and 15 seconds left in the third. Alvarez made nine points in that scoring blitz, while Camson hit consecutive jumpers and Nuyles added four markers including two free throws that gave the Falcons their first taste of the lead. Maynilad, however, had a late scoring surge to threaten at 84-81 in the final minute of the game with Garvo Lanete scoring on a fastbreak lay-up off an Alvarez turn over. Alvarez, however, made up for his mistake to give Freego some breathing space when he drained a jumper for an 86-81 count with 31.7 ticks to go. Alvarez and Camson finished with 25 points each while Nuyles added 18 markers. Camson shot 11-of-20 from the field and also grabbed 12 rebounds. The Falcons started the conference with three straight losses but turned things around midway in the tournament. Freego won three of their last four games including their knockout match against Maynilad, which played its first game after attending a training camp in the United States. "Sinamantala namin 'yung chance na makapag-prepare. Talagang hinimay namin ang plays ng Maynilad, (We took advantage of the chance in preparing for this game. We've broken down Maynilad's plays)" said Freego Jeans coach Leo Austria. Maynilad was up 38-33 in the second quarter and though Freego closed in, the Water Dragons still took a 46-45 halftime lead. The 51-49 score was the last time the Water Dragons tasted the lead. Melo Lim had 15 points while Lanete had 14 markers. Jake Pascual added 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Water Dragons. – Reuben Terrado, JVP, GMA News