Games Tuesday (San Juan Arena)

2 p.m. – Freego Jeans vs Cebuana Lhuillier
4 p.m. – Big Chill vs NLEX


Big Chill got inspiring performances from its frontcourt tandem of Jessie Collado and Jewel Ponferrada to beat Blackwater, 82-62, in their quarterfinal duel yesterday an d a place in the semifinals of the PBA Aspirants Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena.

Freego Jeans also joined early semifinalists NLEX and Cebuana Lhuillier in the next phase by blasting Boracay Rum, 87-63, in the other quarterfinal.

The Jeans Makers put the game away early.

Capitalizing on quickness, teamwork and excellent shooting, Freego Jeans roared to a 28-8 advantage after one quarter. By halftime, the Jeans Makers were sitting on a 29-point cushion (52-23) that effectively took  away whatever chances the Boracay Rum Waves had entertained to hopefully force a sudden-death.

“I think our aggressive defense was key. We also made our shots early it allowed us to set the pace,” said Freego Jeans Leo Austria after the game.

Janus Lozada scored 19 points, Lester Alvarez had 18 and Eric Camson added 16 for the Jeans Makers, who had a 57-41 advantage off the boards.

Maclean Sabellina and Toto BAndaying each scored 19 points for the Waves, who never really got their rhythm. 

Collado, a 6-4 scoring forward, tallied 19 points while Ponferrada, 6-5 center, added 12 points and 11 rebounds to power Big Chill in the Final Four against powerhouse NLEX. 

The Superchargers shot 61 percent in the second quarter to seized control and beat the Elite for the second time in seven days. Big Chill closed out its elimination campaign with a 58-55 decision against Blackwater Thursday last week.

“Our immediate goal this conference was to get into the quarters. Now, we’re in the semis. Hopefully we could kept it up,” said Big Chill coach Arsenio Dysangco afterwards. 

After a sloppy first quarter, the Super Chargers settled down in the second period and slowly picked up momentum as Collado, Ponferrada and guard Raffy Reyes (9 points) started making their shots.

“We dug ourselves a big hole in the first quarter. But we didn’t panic. We stayed focus and our patience paid off. We got our game going just before the end of the first half,” Dysangco said.

Big Chill trailed by double digit deficit at the end of the first quarter but clawed back with hustling defense, strong rebounding and an 11 of 18 shooting. The Super Chargers outscored the Elite, 26-9, in the second period and took a 35-31 lead at halftime.

Big Chill never trailed again after that.


The scores:


First Game


Big Chill 82 – Collado 15,Ponferrada 12, Maconocido 9, Mallari 9, Reyes 9, Glorioso 8, Jensen 8, Dizon 6, santos 2, Tan 2, Custodio 2.

Blackwater 62 – Bautista 17, G. Ciriacruz 17, Fortuna 17, Bringas 7, Acidre 6, I. Ciriacruz 6, Afuang 2, Tan 2, Pascual 0, Doligon 0.

Quarters: 9-22; 35-31; 57-39; 82-62


Second Game


Freego Jeans 87 – Lozada 19, Alvarez 18, Camson 16, Nuyles 7, Austria 7, Apinan 6, Lopez 6, Brondial 4, Manyara 2, Sumalinog 1, Rios 1, Elinon 0, Monteclaro 0, Cabrera 0.

Boracay Rum 63 – Sabellina 19, BAndaying 19, Hermosisima 7, Terso 5, Rosopa 4, Coirnejo 3, Siruma 3, Khobuntin 2, Acibar 1, Abaya 0, Morial 0, Aguilos 0, Baloran 0.

Quarters: 28-8; 52-23; 68-43; 87-63