Jumbo Plastic smothers Derulo Accelero, boosts bid

MANILA, Philippines - Jan Colina poured in seven of his game-high 19 points in the fourth quarter as Jumbo Plastic foiled Derulo Accelero, 73-61, yesterday to bolster its playoff bid in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Blue Eagle gym.

The Giants recovered from a shaky start but needed a big surge in the fourth to finally fend off the hard-fighting Oilers and pound out the victory, their seventh in nine games to tie a skidding Hog’s Breath side at third.

“We could have easily won the game but my players lost their discipline and played individually in the third quarter. That nearly cost us the game,” said Jumbo Plastic coach Steven Tiu.

Earlier, Macky Acosta knocked three pressure-packed charities to lift Wangs Basketball to a come-from-behind 71-68 victory over Arellano University.

Acosta’s late game free throws capped the Couriers’ fiery fourth quarter charge that saw them fight back from 13 points down to improve to 4-5 (win-loss) record.

Jason Ballesteros scored 11 points, hauled down nine rebounds and came through with three blocks while Elliot Tan dished off eight assists for the Giants, who primed up for their crucial match against Blackwater tomorrow. 

The Oilers, who trailed as many as 12 points early in the third, pulled to within, 45-48, on two free throws by Mark Jeffries with 9:32 remaining.

But Colina came off the bench to score five points and key a 7-0 run. He ended that spurt with a three-pointer as the Giants extended their lead to 10 points and coasted the rest of the way.

Leo Roncal shot 14 points, Clark Bautista added 13 markers and Jackson Corpuz contributed 10 points and 16 rebounds for the Oilers (1-9), who played without injured center Raul Soyud.