Strong second half gives Gems victory
THE CEBUANA Lhuillier Gems utilized a strong second half performance to defeat the Boracay Rum Waves, 68-66, in the opening game of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup yesterday at The Arena in San Juan.
In contrast, the Fruitas Shakers did not waste time in disposing of newcomer Jumbo Plastic, 81-56, in the second game.
In the third game, Arvie Bringas scored 11 points in overtime to lift Big Chill to a huge 86-77 upset win over the NLEX Road Warriors.
Alvin Padilla, acquired by Cebuana during the in-between conference break to bolster its backcourt, capped his debut with the Gems with a key assist to Jessie Bustos in the closing seconds.
The former University of the Philippines standout scored 12 points and helped Bustos finish the play with strong stab underneath the basket that gave the Gems a 66-64 lead with 62 seconds remaining./Correspondent Jonas Panerio
