PBA DL: St. Clare clinches playoff spot
Games Thursday (Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig)
1:30 p.m. – Black Mamba vs Hyperwash
3:30 p.m. – Alberei vs Italiano’s Homme
BRT Sumisip Basilan-St. Clare clinched a playoff spot in the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup, outlasting McDavid-La Salle Araneta, 112-100, Monday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Joshua Fontanilla led the balanced attack with 24 points on a 3-of-7 shooting from downtown, alongside six assists and three steals as the Saints stayed immaculate at 4-0 in Group B.
Irven Palencia added 14 points, Clarence Tiquia and Junjie Hallare had 12, and Malian big man Mohammad Pare notched a double-double with his 13 points, 17 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.
The win, however, left a bad taste on the mouth of coach Stevenson Tiu as BRT Sumisip-Basilan’s defense sputtered and let McDavid-La Salle Araneta to go on a 44-percent shooting clip.
“Taken for grated nila yung defense. May moments na good pero may times na nagpapabaya. Kailangan ma-check namin yung tendencies na ganyan,” said the veteran mentor.
“Akala nila easy going na open court, pataasan lang ng score. So sinabi ko na i-treat natin ang every team as a challenge.”
Henry Iloka’s late assault allowed the Stallions to eat up what was once a 24-point advantage down to 10, 110-100, but time just wasn’t on their side as they remained at the cellar at 0-4.
The Nigerian Iloka wound up with 32 points, 28 rebounds, and six blocks in the defeat.
Eduardo Doroteo chipped in 22 points, seven boards, and two assists, while Jobert Medina had 15 points, six dimes, and four rebounds for MCDavid-La Salle Araneta.
The Scores:
BRT SUMISIP-ST. CLARE 112 — Fontanilla 24, Palencia 14, Pare 13, Hallare 12, Tiquia 12, Dumapig 9, Bautista 9, Ng 5, Collado 5, Penaredondo 5, Lunor 4, Rubio 0, Decano 0.
MCDAVID-LA SALLE ARANETA 100 — Iloka 32, Doroteo 22, Medina 15, Briones 12, Batungbakal 6, Aquino 5, Balbuena 4, Esteban 2, Lorenzo 2, Correche 0, Pena 0, Ombao 0.
Quarters: 25-16, 54-38, 84-63, 112-100.
