Gems escape Rising Suns

THE CEBUANA Lhuillier Gems kept their bid for the semifinals alive after they defeated the Cagayan Valley Rising Suns, 84-83, in the quarterfinals of the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup yesterday at the Arena in San Juan City.

The Gems took care of business in the third period, where they outscored the Suns, 27-13, to turn a 42-50 deficit into a 69-63 lead heading to the final stanza.

But the Suns fought back and tied the game at 82-all after an alley-oop basket by Chris Canta.

The Gems were able to regain the lead, 84-82, on their next possession with a floater by Paul Zamar but the Suns had a chance to tie it once more after James Forrester got fouled.

He made the first but missed the second for an 83-84 count. A jumpball ensued but the Gems got the tip, leading to freethrows for Paul Sanga and Rex Leynes with 6.3 seconds remaining.

Sanga and Leynes proceeded to miss all four freethrows but fortunately, time ran out before the Suns could come up with a basket.

Gab Banal paced the Gems with 21 points laced with five rebounds and two blocks while Zamar added 14 points, five rebounds and four assists/Correspondent Jonas Panerio