THE CEBUANA Lhuillier Gems booked a ticket to the quarterfinal round after they took care of the Jose Rizal University, 77-73, in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup yesterday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Gems found themselves tied with both Fruitas and JRU at the end of the elimination round with identical 5-5 (win-loss) records but the Shakers got the boot due to their inferior quotient.
It was an uphill battle for the Gems as they trailed by 10 points, 45-55, but erased that deficit with a searing rally that was capped off by a basket by Rex Leynes that tied the count at 55-all.
They eventually took the lead at 62-58 but JRU came close at 71-72 off a five-point cluster by Jeckster Apinan and John Pinto.
Cebuana Lhuillier secured the win with five straight points. James Martinez led Cebuana with 16 points./Correspondent Jonas Panerio