Apex Fuel-San Sebastian fended fending off a game challenge from Centro Escolar University, taking a 71-62 victory to score its fourth straight win in the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup, Tuesday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
James Una produced another stellar line for the Golden Stags, tallying 17 points, nine rebounds, four blocks, and two assists while Jacob Shanoda produced a double-double with his 13 points and 12 boards.
“Yung will to win talaga, noong huli parang kami na yung gustong manalo,” said Golden Stags head coach Egay Macaraya.
San Sebastian used an 11-0 spurt from a 60-all deadlock to take a 71-60 lead in the last 41.7 seconds.
Ichie Altamirano also shot 3-of-7 from beyond the arc to chalk up 11 points, two rebounds, and two assists as Apex Fuel-San Sebastian clinched a playoff seat and moved to joint first with Marinerong Pilipino at 4-1.
“Grabe ang nilalaro ng mga bata and it shows na they want to prove something,” added Macaraya.
Lenard Santiago led CEU with 20 points while Franz Diaz and Maui Bernabe chipped in 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
The Scores:
Apex Fuel-San Sebastian 71 — Una 17, Shanoda 13, Altamirano 11, Are 8, Desoyo 6, Escobido 5, Felebrico 5, Cosari 3, Sumoda 2, Ventura 1, Calahat 0, Paglinawan 0, Suico 0.
CEU 62 — Santiago 20, Diaz 11, Bernabe 10, Santos 8, Balogun 7, Tolentino 2, Borromeo 2, Ancheta 2, Ferrer 0, Cabotaje 0.
Quarterscores: 13-15, 29-34, 53-49, 71-62.
