APEX Fuel-San Sebastian pulled off a tight 88-83 escape from Builders Warehouse-UST for its breakthrough victory in the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Rhinwil Yambing shot 3-of-8 from deep for his 19 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals as the Golden Stags leaned on their 13-point cushion, 79-66, with 3:21 remaining to escape the Growling Tigers.
“We survived,” said coach Egay Macaraya as Apex Fuel-San Sebastian saw its lead dwindle down to just five with 20.5 seconds, but heaved a huge sigh of relief after Miguel Pangilinan’s costly pass to Christian Manaytay in the final 15 seconds.
“Itong fourth talaga ang laging problema sa team, but everybody showed their character and everybody was playing defense. Yung composure, nandoon na,” continued Macaraya as his side rebounded from its first loss to Marinerong Pilipino last Saturday.
James Una also registered a double-double for the Golden Stags with 16 points, 10 boards, and two assists, Ichie Altamirano drilled four treys for his 16 points, and Ken Villapando got 10 and six.
The Growling Tigers relied on rookie Kean Baclaan who produced 17 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in their second straight defeat.
The Scores:
Apex Fuel-San Sebastian 88 – Yambing 19, Una 16, Altamirano 16, Villapando 10, Are 8, Desoyo 6, Sumoda 5, Shanoda 4, Escobido 2, Cosari 2, Calahat 0, Felebrico 0, Ventura 0.
Builders Warehouse-UST 83 – Baclaan 17, Manaytay 16, Cabanero 13, Concepcion 12, Santos 9, Pangilinan 7, Manalang 6, Mantua 3, Canoy 0, Herrera 0, Gesalem 0.
Quarterscores: 19-20, 37-32, 57-50, 88-83.
