PBA DL: FEU inches closer to playoffs

Games Thursday
(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig)
12 p.m. – Metropac-San Beda vs Marinerong Pilipino
2 p.m. – Batangas-EAC vs Petron-Letran
4 p.m. – Che’Lu Bar and Grill vs AMA Online Education

FAR Eastern University moved closer from clinching a playoff ticket in the 2019 PBA D-League, escaping Diliman College-Gerry’s Grill, 88-81, Tuesday in the 2019 PBA D-League at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.

Branrey Bienes lit up for the Tamaraws, dropping nine of his 25 points in the final canto, on top of six rebounds to rise to a 5-3 record in the Foundation Group.

Wendel Comboy also scorched with 10 points in the fourth, to account for his 19 as he drained the killer treys that made it a 79-70 lead with 4:12 remaining.

Ken Tuffin got himself 11 points and five boards, while Cameroonian bruiser Patrick Tchuente wound up with nine points and nine rebounds.

FEU’s win boosted its chances of making it to the top four of the group, needing only a Metropac-San Beda win over Marinerong Pilipino on Thursday to lock up the seat.

Kevin Gandjeto scored 22 points and 11 rebounds to lead Diliman-Gerry’s, while John Mahari had 21 points and five boards.

In the other game, SSCR crawled its way back from a 20-point deficit to score a thrilling 96-92 double-overtime win over Metropac-San Beda.

JM Calma scored the game-icing lay-up with 14.5 seconds to spare, catching a pass from Ken Villapando to give the Golden Harvest the four-point cushion they needed to escape with the tough victory.

“Everybody stepped up, kahit yung may mga maliliit na minutes, credit sa whole team, not just sa mga veterans ko. They all composed on the last part,” said coach Egay Macaraya as his side fought back from an early 34-14 deficit.

Allyn Bulanadi led Valencia-SSCR with 32 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and five steals, while RK Ilagan shot five triples on his way to 31 points, six boards, five dimes, and four steals.

Calma also added 12 as the Golden Harvest locked up a playoff seat with its 6-1 record in the Foundation Group.

Ilagan tied the game up at 75 with 41 seconds remaining in regulation, completing the amazing fightback as both teams were unable to convert in the endgame.

He also gave Valencia-SSCR the 88-85 lead with a three at the 52.1 second mark of the first overtime, before James Canlas answered back with a three of his own in the last 17.2 to send the game to another extra period.

Clint Doliguez fired 21 points and five boards to lead Metropac-San Beda in the tough defeat as it wasted a golden opportunity to lock up a twice-to-beat incentive.

Donald Tankoua got a double-double of 20 points and 14 rebounds for the Movers, which dropped to third in the group at 6-2.

Also, GO for Gold-CSB sustained its late run to the playoffs with its fourth straight win, clobbering AMA Online Education, 109-91.

Roosevelt Adams anchored the Scratchers with 21 points, 17 rebounds, and five assists, while Robi Nayve chipped in 19 points and five rebounds.

Carlo Young also contributed 13 points, as Jimboy Pasturan had 12.

Go for Gold-CSB used a 7-0 stretch in the final minute of the third quarter to seize a 77-68 lead before breaking away with a 32-point fourth quarter finishing kick.

The Scratchers now rise at fourth place in the Aspirants Group at 5-3.

“I think we just got off to a bad start. Medyo slow start kami, but we picked it up and we’re playing much better,” said coach Charles Tiu.

Joshua Munzon finished with 30 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Franky Johnson had 26 points, six steals, and four assists in the defeat. Both players were ejected late.

AMA now finds itself in danger of missing the bus as it carries a 2-4 card.

The Scores:
First game:
GO FOR GOLD-CSB 109 — Adams 21, Nayve 19, Young 13, Pasturan 12, Dixon 11, Belgica 11, Haruna 8, Naboa 5, Leutcheu 4, Domingo 3, Pangalangan 2, Carlos 0.

AMA 91 — Munzon 30, Johnson 26, Rike 12, Arambulo 8, Dela Rosa 7, Parcero 4, Raflores 2, Estibar 2, Asuncion 0, Catequista 0, Alina 0.

Quarters: 22-20, 47-45, 77-68, 109-91.

Second game:
VALENCIA-SSCR 96 — Bulanadi 31, Ilagan 31, Calma 12, Capobres 9, Sumoda 4, Villapando 3, Desoyo 2, Calahat 2, Tero 1, Bonleon 0, Dela Cruz 0, Are 0, Baclay 0, Altamirano 0, Loristo 0.

METROPAC-SAN BEDA 92 — Doliguez 21, Tankoua 20, Canlas 19, Soberano 8, Nelle 6, Bahio 6, Etrata 6, Oftana 4, Carino 2, Presbitero 0, Alfaro 0, Cuntapay 0, Obenza 0.

Quarters: 12-28, 33-45, 51-57, 75-75, 88-88, 96-92.

Third game:
FEU 88 — Bienes 25, Comboy 19, Tuffin 11, Tchuente 9, Gonzales 8, Flores 4, Ebona 4, Bayquin 4, Stockton 2, Cani 2, Nunag 0, Celzo 0, Senining 0.
DILIMAN-GERRY’S 81 — Gandjeto 22, Mahari 21, Darang 13, Brutas 9, Bauzon 8, Balagtas 4, Sombero 3, Torrado 1, Enriquez 0, Tay 0.
Quarters: 18-21, 40-40, 61-56, 88-81.