BRT Sumisip Basilan-St. Clare kicked out Centro Escolar University, 73-59, to head to the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Finals Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Joshua Fontanilla led the Saints with 15 points, four rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks in the win that brought them to their first-ever Finals trip.
Chris Dumapig chimed in 11 markers and six boards as all 11 players fielded in scored at least two points in the conquest.
“Lahat gustong pumasok ng Finals especially for this school, for the young guys,” said coach Stevenson Tiu, who returned on the sidelines after missing Game Two last Monday due to flu-like symptoms. “Gusto raw nila makalaro sa Finals which they worked hard for naman.”
This will also be Tiu’s third Finals appearance, with his first two with Che’Lu Bar and Grill last season.
From a deadlock at 43-all with 2:18 left in the third quarter, the Saints unloaded a 14-4 blitz en route to a 57-47 lead with 8:29 remaining in the payoff period.
BRT Sumisip-St. Clare would never lose hold of the driver’s seat since, leading by as many as 17 points, 73-56, after a Fontanilla bucket with 1:18 left to play.
The Saints now have their sights on Marinerong Pilipino, which they will face in the best-of-three title bout that starts next Thursday, October 3.
Jerome Santos had 16 points and five rebounds to lead CEU, who actually had a good start into the match with a 14-4 run.
Senagalese center Malick Diouf had 13 points, 20 rebounds, six blocks, five assists, and three steals, as Rich Guinitaran chimed in 12 markers in the defeat.
The Scores:
BRT Sumisip-St. Clare 73 –– Fontanilla 15, Dumapig 11, Gabo 9, Hallare 8, Rubio 7, Batino 6, Pare 5, Bautista 5, Tiquia 3, Manacho 2, Penarendondo 2.
CEU 59 — Santos 16, Diouf 13, Guinitaran 12, Bernabe 8, Carandang 5, Diaz 2, Sunga 2, De Ocampo 1, Tagal 0.
Quarterscores: 13-21, 31-32, 51-47, 73-59.
