UST-BACKED RnW Pacific Pipes Steel Masters snapped their four-game winning run after absorbing an 84-100 drubbing from the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the San Juan Gym last April 30.
The Blackwater Sports, another squad bannered by UST players, also bowed down to the Gems, 81-101, six days earlier. Paul Zamar, Gio Ciriacruz, and UST’s Clark Bautista, each had 13 points for Blackwater.
The Steel Masters, who were in a four-way tie at second spot with Big Chill Superchargers, Cebuana Lhuiller, and Blackwater Sports Elites, dropped to fifth place with a 4-3 slate but remained in contention for the quarterfinals.
Reigning MVP Vic Manuel put up another monstrous performance with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks for the Gems, who now share a tight hold of the second place with the Superchargers at 5-2.
Rocky Acidre topscored for the Pido Jarencio-led Steelmasters with 16 points while Tiger Jeric Teng posted 15 markers on a 4-of-17 shooting clip.
Lester Alvarez exploded for 23 points, including back-to-back triples with 2:58 left. But Simon Atkins stuck another dagger to put his team ahead 95-79.
The Gems pulled away midway in the third quarter, shortly after Pipes bigman Raymond Aguilar was ejected due to flagrant foul. Teng scored on the inside by another Gems run put them comfortably ahead.
