PBA DL: Soldiers near playoff berth
Games Thursday (Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig)
1:30 p.m. – Black Mamba vs Hyperwash
3:30 p.m. – Alberei vs Italiano’s Homme
Asia’s Lashes Tomas Morato closed in on a playoff spot in the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup with a 108-98 victory over Hazchem Monday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
James Martinez fired 22 points on a 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc, to go with five assists and two rebounds to lead the Soldiers.
Francis Camacho added 18 points, three assists, and two boards, as Adrian Celada got 11 points in the win.
From a 91-all deadlock with seven minutes to play, Asia’s Lashes suddenly raced away from Hazchem with a 17-5 spurt that turned it to a commanding 108-96 lead with 2:30 to play.
The Soldiers’ defense were also on-point late as they locked the Green Warriors down en route to the 10-point triumph.
With this win, the Soldiers hiked their record to 3-2, with a win against iWalk on September 5 securing them a spot in the quarterfinals.
“Ready na lang kami kung saan kami bumagsak. Mas maganda na manalo pa rin kami ng last game. Must win pa rin kami doon,” said coach Alvin Grey.
Raymark Matias paced Hazchem with 27 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals, but committed eight turnovers in the game.
The Green Warriors lost their third straight outing to fall to 1-3 in Group A.
The Scores:
ASIA’S LASHES 108 — Martinez 22, Camacho 18, Celada 11, Sarao 10, Delfinado 9, Castro 9, Dela Cruz 7, Laude 7, Alban 6, Apreku 5, Gerero 2, Deles 2, Reyes 0, Gonzaga 0.
HAZCHEM 98 — Matias 27, Moraga 17, Elmejrab 8, Caparida 8, Ynion 8, Arellano 6, Trinidad 5, Glorioso 5, Acain 4, Serrano 4, Sicat 4, Adviento 2, Mendez 0, Eman 0, Daguplo 0.
Quarters: 32-28, 70-61, 89-81, 108-98.
