Coming off a conquest of Go for Gold, the St. Clare College-Virtual Reality slayed another big fish, claiming an 82-77 win over Che’Lu Bar and Grill in the 2019 PBA D-League Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Junjie Hallare led the Saints with 19 points, 12 coming in the second half, as he also collected six steals and five rebounds.
Irven Palencia chipped in 13 points, as the big man combo of Mohammed Pare and John Ambuludto did wonders inside.
The Malian slotman got himself a double-double of 10 points and 16 rebounds, as the veteran Ambuludto got nine points and seven boards.
St. Clare rose to 2-0 in the Aspirants Group, while sending Che’Lu to its first defeat to fall to 1-1 in the standings.
The Saints broke a 63-all deadlock with a 13-3 tear that gave them a 76-66 lead with 3:50 left in the fourth period.
But the Revellers clawed their way back, with Jhaps Bautista’s free throws getting them within three, 80-77 in the last 30 seconds.
Pare, though, would seal the game shut with a layup in the final 10.7 to ice the win for St. Clare.
Bautista fired 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists for Che’Lu, while Chris Dumapig and Rey Suerte scored 14 points apiece.
The Scores:
St. Clare 82 — Hallare 19, Palencia 13, Pare 10, Ambuludto 9, Fontanilla 9, Santos 8, Lunor 6, Rivera 6, Rubio 2.
Che’Lu 77 –– Bautista 16, Dumapig 14, Suerte 14, Collado 7, Manganti 6, R. Manalang 4, Taganas 4, Gabo 4, P. Manalang 2, Bringas 2, Chua 0.
Quarterscores: 17-16, 44-36, 60-60, 82-77.
