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MANILA, Philippines – Hapee and Cebuana Lhuillier inched closer to the finals of the 2015 PBA D League Aspirants Cup with wins in game one of their respective semifinals series on Thursday, February 5, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Lanete’s 20 leads Hapee past Cafe France
In the first game, Garvo Lanete scored 20 points to lead Hapee past Cafe France, 74–58. No other player from the team scored in double-figures, but many had key contributions, such as Bobby Ray Parks (9 points), Chris Newsome (9), Troy Rosario (8), and Nico Elorde (6).
Cafe France was on top early, 16-12, before a 21-7 run by their adversaries shifted the tide of the ball game.
After Lanete and company went ahead by 10, 33-23, they maintained their double-digit lead throughout the rest of the contest for an easy win.
Hapee was coming off a a loss to Cagayan Valley in the last game of their elimination round campaign, which Parks called a “wake-up call,” and a “blessing.”
“Our loss to Cagayan was a good challenge for us,” said Hapee head coach Ronnie Magsanoc, who agreed with his player. “It was a wake-up call that you can be beaten anytime. I thought our defense was awesome. That was the key for us.”
Joseph Sedurifa and Rodrigue Ebondo led Cafe France with 11 points each.
“Cafe France is a disciplined team… I’m sure they will make the adjustments so we can’t lose our focus [in game two],” said Magsanoc.
Scores:
Hapee (74) – Lanete 20, Parks 9, Newsome 9, Rosario 8, Elorde 6, Adeogun 6, Thompson 5, Dela Cruz 5, Amer 3, Long 3, Hayes 0
Café France (58) – Sedurifa 11, Ebondo 11, Abundo 9, Alolino 7, Ahanmisi 5, De Leon 3, Andrada 3, Cortes 3, Galanza 2, Celso 2, Noble 2, Jeruta 0, Batino 0
Quarter Scoring: 12-16, 39-26, 58-44, 74-58
Cebuana Lhuillier hands Cagayan Valley their first loss
Behind strong performances from their main guys, Cebuana Lhuillier handed Cagayan Valley their first loss in the Aspirants Cup, 89-85, and also took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three semifinals.
Simon Enciso, a product of Notre Dame de Namur University in California, finished with 22 points – including 11 in the crucial fourth quarter – to help seal the win.
Allan Mangahas put up 17 points, while De La Salle Green Archers duo Norbert Torres and Almond Vosotros scored 15 markers apiece in the win.
Cagayan Valley, who battled back from a 26-point deficit in the first half, was led by 21 points from Jason Melano and 19 from Don Trollano. Top overall pick Moala Tautuaa put up just 5 points and 9 rebounds, as he was out-dueled by Torres.
Cebuana’s victory snapped Cagayan’s 11-game winning streak and is now one win away from a finals appearance. But their head coach is warning his boys not to take their opponents lightly the next time they meet them.
“Cagayan won 11 games in the eliminations. They are capable of making a comeback so we must be ready,” said Head Coach Boycie Zamar.
After falling behind by 26 in the second quarter, Cagayan trimmed the lead by attacking the paint more and getting to the free throw line. They sliced the deficit to 13 by the half, and was down only by single digits in the third quarter before a couple of baskets by Torres and Vosotros halted their run.
Cagayan inched closer in the fourth quarter, but critical shots by Enciso down the stretch sealed the win for his club.
Game two of both series will be held on Monday, February 9, at the San Juan Arena.
Scores:
Cebuana Lhuillier (89): Enciso 22, Mangahas 17, Torres 15, Vosotros 15, Bautista 8, Ferrer 6, Guinto 3, Acibar 2, Zamar 1, Villahermosa 0, Lopez 0, Sarangay 0
Cagayan Valley (85): Melano 21, Trollano 19, Austria 13, Celada 9, Mabulac 8, Dilay 5, Tayongtong 3, Santos 1, Salamat 1, Olayon 0, Flores 0, Galliguez 0
Quarter Scoring: 29-10, 47-35, 73-64, 89-85
– Rappler.com
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