Games Thursday (Meralco gym, Pasig City)

12 noon – PC Gilmore vs Blackwater

2 p.m. – RnW Pacific Pipes vs NLEX

MANILA, Philippines — PC Gilmore kept its slim quarterfinal hopes alive with an 84-75 win over DUB Unlimited Tuesday in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at The Arena in San Juan.

In a dragged out match, the Wizards got some breathing room in the final four minutes thanks to their outside shooting to preserve their third consecutive victory.

The squad of coach Art dela Cruz improved to 3-5 and would need to beat Blackwater and Boracay Rum tomorrow and on Jan. 10 for a chance to make the quarters.

“Pwede pa,” said dela Cruz. “Hindi kami nagbakasyon except nung Christmas at New Year kasi kailangan namin maka-straight para makapasok sa quarterfinals.”

College of Saint Benilde guard Paolo Taha fired 19 points, Macky Acosta chipped in 13 points while AJ Mandani added 11 markers.

In the other game, back-to-back title-seeking North Luzon Expressway continued its sizzling form with a 77-54 rout of Boracay Rum.

The Road Warriors, who won their sixth in a row, bucked off an 8-0 deficit at the start by playing as a collective unit.

NLEX improved to a 7-1 record and inched closer in gaining one of the two outright semifinal berths.

For the squad of coach Boyet Fernandez to pull off the trick, it needs to beat either RnW Pacific Pipes tomorrow or rival Cebuana Lhuiillier on Jan. 12.