Cignal routs JRU, boosts Top 2 bid

MANILA, Philippines - Cignal firmed up its bid for a Top 2 spot as it clobbered a hapless Jose Rizal University side, 94-50, while Wangs Basketball stayed in the quarterfinal race with an 87-78 romp over Blustar Detergent in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig last night.

The Hawkeyes imposed their will and power early, posting a 15-point bulge then pounded the Bombers with efficient shooting while the rest clamped down on the JRU gunners to run away with that 44-point victory for a 7-1 card, two games clear of joint second running Racal and Café France (5-1).

Robert Bolick fired 16 points, grabbed four rebounds and dished off three asissts while Ben Adamos added 11 markers and two boards and Andreas Cahilig also had 11 points and four rebounds for the Hawkeyes, who moved a win from clinching an outright semis berth.

“We were very happy with the way we played today (yesterday). We stuck with our game plan and we’re able to limit (Tey) Teodoro and (Paolo) Pontejos,” said Cignal coach Boyet Fernandez. “We know we are up there (at 7-1) but still we are not resting.”

Teodoro struggled and had just two points while Pontejos scored six but left midway in the second due to a foot sprain.

JRU fell to 3-4.

Earlier, Wangs Basketball bucked a near meltdown in the fourth quarter and scrambled past winless Blustar to stay in the quarterfinal race.

The Couriers posted a 65-45 bulge in the third period behind Cederick Labing-isa, who scored six points in a 13-3 run, but wavered in the face of the Dragons’ strong comeback.

Ong Yong Wei and Mak Long Seng came away with big baskets as Blustar threatened at 76-81 with 2:05 left in the contest.