MANILA, Philippines – The Cebuana Lhuillier Gems and the Cafe France Bakers won their respective do-or-die quarterfinal games to complete the 2015 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup semifinals cast on Monday, February 2 at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Gems overcame the twice-to-beat Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Giants in the first game, 85-81, after winning their first encounter, 63-53, last Thursday.
Former De La Salle University big man Norbert Torres, who sank a jumper for a 3-point cushion with 33.5 seconds remaining, led Cebuana with 17 points and 8 rebounds. While University of the East alumnus Paul Zamar scored 8 points, including a pair of free throws that widened the gap, 84-79, with just 24 seconds remaining.
Allan Mangahas contributed 15 points for Cebuana, which will face a still undefeated top seed Cagayan Valley Rising Sungs in a best-of-3 semis duel starting on Thursday, February 5.
Guard Philip Paniamogan from Jose Rizal University wound up with 15 points for Jumbo Plastic, which trailed by 51-40 at halftime.
In the second game, Cafe France marched into its first semifinals appearance in the D-League with an 81-68 dismantling of Bread Story-Lyceum.
The twice-to-beat Bakers were forced into a rubber match following the Pirates’ 79-72 escape last Thursday.
Guard Aaron Jeruta had a game-high 22 points as the Bakers bucked a slow start, rallying from 12 points down in the second period then outscoring Bread Story, 44-26, in the second half to seal the win.
Joseph Sedurifa had 12 points, while Cameroonian big man Rob Ebondo registered 10 points, 7 rebounds and two blocks despite an ailing hamstring.
Cafe France set up a similar best-of-3 semifinals date with no.2 seed and outright semifinalists Hapee Fresh Fighters, which also tips off on Thursday, February 5 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. – Rappler.com
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