FCA Cultivators earn D-League q’finals seat

THE FCA Cultivators advanced to the quarterfinals of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup after nipping the RnW Pacific Pipes, 65-61, in the first round of the playoffs yesterday at the Arena in San Juan City.

Raffi Reyes sparked a game-changing charge late in the game as he hit a three-point shot with just two minutes left that pushed the Cultivators in front, 62-60. RnW Pacific Pipes shooter Jim Viray clanged two three-point attempts before Alex Mallari scored a hard drive to the basket as FCA completed its comeback from a 16-point deficit in the third quarter.

Despite his shooting woes, Mallari still led FCA with 12 points. Reyes added 11 and Richard Cole 9.

Vic Manuel led all scorers with 20 points but failed to get enough support. Viray had 12 but missed badly on a couple of three-point attempts that could have changed the complexion of the match. RnW Pipes opened the third with a 15-6 run and built a 49-36 advantage on Manual’s basket with 4:10 left in the period.

But FCA slowly clawed back behind Mallari, Reyes and Cole, outscoring RnW Pacific Pipes, 21-7, bridging the third and fourth quarters to pull within one, 57-58 on Cole’s four straight points. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio