The St. Clare College-Virtual Reality Saints punched their ticket to the 2019 PBA D-League quarterfinals, drubbing the AMA Online Education Titans, 119-89, Tuesday at JSCGO Gym in Cubao.
Joshua Fontanilla and Darwin Lunor teamed up for the Saints’ first quarter flurry, where they took a 35-20 advantage and never looked back.
The diminutive Fontanilla fired 11 of his 16 points in the first half, on top of six rebounds and five assists. Meanwhile, Lunor added 13 to his name, as well as six boards and three assists to banner the seven players in double-digits.
“Gusto lang namin tapusin ng maganda ang eliminations. Sana madala namin sa next phase,” said coach Jinino Manansala as St. Clare wrapped up its assignments to end up at 6-3 in the Aspirants Group.
Irven Palencia and John Ambuludto combined for 28 in the win, as the lead swelled at its highest at 33, 76-43, in the third period.
The Saints now sit idle in third place in the pool. They can still move up to the no. 2 spot and clinch a twice-to-beat edge if Family Mart-Enderun upsets Ironcon-UST on Thursday.
In the process, Petron-Letran (6-3) have also been eliminated since they own an inferior quotient.
Joshua Munzon led AMA (2-7) with 27 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Franky Johnson chimed in 19, while Troy Rike had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
The Scores:
St. Ckare 119 — Fontanilla 16, Palencia 14, Ambuludto 14, Pare 13, Lunor 13, Santos 11, Decano 10, Hallare 8, Bolos 6, Rubio 5, Tiquia 5, Manacho 2, Penaredondo 2, Fuentes 0.
AMA 89 — Munzon 27, Johnson 19, Rike 15, Parcero 12, Sayat 5, Asuncion 3, Estibar 3, Fuentes 3, Catequista 2, Sabile 0, Nakpil 0, Dela Rosa 0.
Quarterscores: 35-20, 68-39, 93-67, 119-89.
