Sumos buck suspensions, rip Cultivators

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MANILA—Max Bond Super Glue played like hardly anyone was missing as the Sumos rolled past the FCA Cultivators, 93-83, in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup yesterday at the Meralco Gym in Ortigas. 

The Sumos clinched the crucial win that boosted their outright quarterfinal bid—even without head coach Pido Jarencio and  Junjun Cabatu, who both served a one-game suspension for an on-court scuffle last Thursday.

Leimar Navarro drilled 12 of his team-high 21 points in the third quarter where the Sumos erected a lead as high as 30 points, 71-41.

In the second game, early quarterfinalist NLEX rallied to an 85-81 nipping of Freego Jeans to wrap up its elimination stint with the best Group A record at 5-1.

Eric Salamat knocked in a key triple and the Road Warriors also nailed four crucial free throws in the dying seconds, the last off a technical slapped on Freego coach Leo Austria for calling a timeout when the team had none left.

Calvin Abueva led with 20 points and 12 rebounds and Salamat had 19, including the clutch trey that gave the Road Warriors an 81-80 lead with 43.4 seconds left.

Jarencio and Cabatu were suspended along with Cebuana Lhuillier coach Luigi Trillo and player Ariel Mepana for instigating an altercation that led to a bench-clearing incident. 

NLEX and PC Gilmore already claimed the two outright quarterfinal berths in Group A, while only Cebuana Lhuillier has picked up the incentive in Group B.

The Sumos can claim the bonus if Cobra loses against the Gems in the final game of the classification phase next Tuesday. With reports from Janardan G. Duran and April Aquino

The scores:
First Game
MAX BOND 93—Navarro 21 Cervantes 17, Lingganay 16, Hugnatan 8, Fortuna 7, Bustos 6, Bautista 6, Teng 5, Camus 4, Afuang 2, Benitez 1, Cuan 0, De Guzman 0.
FCA 83—Mallari 23, Reyes 13, Co 8, Maconocido 8, Gerilla 7, Pascual 6, Bulawan 6, Cole 5, Canlas 4, Custodio 3.
Quarters: 26-16, 43-25, 69-41, 93-83 
Second Game
NLEX 85—Abueva 20, Salamat 19, Hodge 11, Ellis 9, Raymundo 6, Sangalang 6, Pascual 6, Tesoro 2, Dehesa 2, Co 2, Belencion 2, Menor 0.
FREEGO 81—Cabrera 21, Camson 16, Nuyles 15, Alvarez 10, Colina 9, Cañada 3, Namucatcat 3, Galinato 2, Lozada 2.
Quarters: 13-20, 38-41, 64-60, 85-81