The Gamboa-St. Clare Coffee Lovers completed the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup playoffs picture with an 87-76 conquest over the Wang’s-Letran Knights, Tuesday afternoon at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Coffee Lovers survived losing their 22-point advantage in the first half, and held off the Couriers’ late comeback bid, where they cut the lead down to just one, 75-74, in the final 3:46, as Chris Bitoon took matters to his own hands late.
Bitoon poured five of his 22 points in that belated tear, on top of four assists, and three rebounds as Gamboa-St. Clare rose to fifth place with its 6-4 card.
Trevis Jackson led the team in scoring with 29 markers, five boards, and three dimes. Mohammed Pare added a double-double of 12 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks, while Aris Dionisio also got his own with 11 markers, 13 boards and five swats.
“Sinasabi sa players na itong game na ito, win or go home na kami,” said coach Jinino Manansala. “Expect ko lang, lalaban lang kami. Kung manalo, bonus na lang yun. Pero awa ng diyos, nag-step up ang bench namin.”
The win for Gamboa-St. Clare was beneficial not just to the team itself, as Zark’s-Lyceum also advanced to the quarterfinals.
On the other hand, Wangs-Letran and Go for Gold bowed out of playoff contention after the tussle.
Bong Quinto topscored with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists for the Couriers (5-5), while Bonbon Batiller got 23 markers, three boards, three dimes in the defeat.
The Scores:
Gamboa-St. Clare 87 — Jackson 29, Bitoon 22, Pare 12, Dionisio 11, Fontanilla 9, Alcober 0, Hallare 0, Acuno 0, Rubio 0.
Wang’s-Letran 76 — Quinto 24, Batiller 23, Ambohot 5, Balanza 5, Calvo 4, Publico 4, Fajarito 3, Gedaria 3, Muyang 3, Taladua 2, Balagasay 0, Mandreza 0, Yu 0.
Quarterscores: 26-13, 52-35, 71-61, 87-76.
