The Technological Institute of the Philippines Engineers snagged a top-two finish of Group B with a 105-95 win over Alberei, Monday in the 2019 PBA D-League Second Conference at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Papa N’diaye came back with a vengeance for the Engineers, puncturing 37 points, 18 rebounds, and four assists in his first game back from a hamstring injury. His efforts were enough for TIP to lock up a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals with a 5-1 slate.
Bryan Santos got himself a double-double with 28 points, 11 boards, two assists, and two steals. Ximone Sandagon recorded 12 points and four rebounds.
The win left a bad taste on coach Potit de Vera’s mouth, though. TIP saw their 18-point fourth-quarter lead, 92-74, drop down to as low as six, 101-95, with 37 seconds left.
“I’m not happy with today’s ball game,” he lamented. “I don’t want to go to the playoffs with the thinking that our players are good enough.”
The Engineers only got relief with Sandagon’s putback dunk and Ndiaye’s late layup iced the game for good.
“We always have to go all out and I just want to keep on doing that,” said de Vera, obviously disappointed with how his crew wasted their 37-point third quarter that flipped a 49-44 halftime lead to a commanding 86-71 edge.
Jonathan Parreno and Jomari Lacastesantos poured 20 points apiece for the hard-luck Kings, who remain winless through four outings.
The Scores:
TIP 105 — Ndiaye 37, B. Santos 28, Sandagon 12, Daguro 8, Tan 5, Calara 5, I. Santos 4, Carurucan 3, Pinca 3, Ramilo 0, Ang 0, Pasamante 0, Navarro 0.
Alberei 95 — Parreno 20, Lacastesantos 20, Rebollos 17, Tano 11, Velasquez 6, Abad 5, Tomilloso 5, Palattao 4, Yasa 3, Diaz 2, Saldana 2, Perlas 0.
Quarterscores: 25-24, 49-44, 86-71, 105-95.
