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Macky Acosta scored eight points and had 11 rebounds in the fourth quarter as PC Gilmore rallied from an 14-point deficit down the stretch and stunned Cafe France, 82-80, on Monday for their first win in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the San Juan gym.
Acosta, a 6-foot-4 forward, eventually finish with a team-high 15 points, 12 rebounds, one steal and one shot block. But is was his energy that inspired his teammates to keep battling even when the situation appeared bleak.
“Alam ng Diyos na kailangang-kailangan naming ang panalo. Credit also goes to the players dahil hindi sila nag-give,” offered PC Gilmore coach Art dela Cruz, who appeared relieve after the Wizards snapped a five-game losing skid.
There was a lot of shoving and pushing in the first half with three players whistled for flagrant fouls. Wizard forward Robby Celiz was ejected with 6:42 left in the third quarter after being cited for a flagrant foul category 2 for punching Chris Dumapig.
It was tough loss for the Bakers, who led by as much as 68-50 late in the third quarter but blew it in the closing minutes mainly due to showboating and poor shot selection.
The Wizards trailed 66-80 with five minutes remaining when Acosta, Jett Vidal and Eugene Torres starred in a 16-0 run to close the fourth quarter and turn the game around.
Vidal scored 14 points while Mark Cagoco added 13 for the Wizards, who outscored the Bakers 29-10 and dominated the boards, 17-13 in the fourth quarter.
Jeff Viernes led all scorers with 30 points, had nine rebounds and eight assists in a sterling performance that went for naught as Café France (2-4) blew whatever chance it has of advancing to the quarterfinals.
By: Dave Coros
The scores:
PC Gilmore 82 – Acosta 15, Vidal 14, Cagoco 13, Sarangay 9, Celiz 9, Torres 8, Taha 7, Foronda 3, Mandani 2, Nabong 2.
Café France 80 – Viernes 30, Guillen 12, Orbeta 10, Parala 8, Montilla 7, Dumapig 4, Mabayo 4, Lucernas 3, Alquisalas 2, LAmosa 0, Magbitang 0, Abundo 0.
Quarters: 17-21; 32-36; 53-70; 82-80
Source: PBA D-League
