FREEGO JEANS advanced to the quarterfinals of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup after they escaped Maynilad, 88-81, in the first round of the playoffs yesterday at the Arena in San Juan City.
Freego got spectacular performances from Eric Camson and Lester Alvarez with the former getting 25 points and 12 rebounds and the latter logging in 25 markers .
Blackwater also advanced to the next round but had to survive repeated comebacks by the gutsy Junior Powerade Tigers for a 70-66 victory in the other match.
Gio Ciriacruz scored 21 points and Ian Mazo added 18 to show the way for the Elite, who lost their poise and their shooting down the stretch.
The Tigers trailed 59-68 with under three minutes to play but scored six straight points to pull within two on a basket by Mike Gamboa, who completed a steal off Andrian Celada.
Powerade had a chance to win the game but Alvin Padilla’s 3-point attempt fell short and Blackwater cornered the rebound to seal the win.
Freego Jeans will be facing Group B top-seeded Cebuana Lhuillier on Tuesday also at The Arena. Correspondent Jonas Panerio