The Family Mart-Enderun Titans eliminated the Ironcon-UST Growling Tigers with a huge 81-74, Thursday in the 2019 PBA D-League at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
Fighting for pride, the Titans weathered a huge fourth quarter attack from the Growling Tigers to end their maiden campaign on a high note and finish with a 2-7 slate.
“They want to prove something and they accepted their roles for the good of the team,” said coach Pipo Noundou.
Valandre Chauca carried Family Mart-Enderun with 31 points on 5-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc, alongside five rebounds and two assists. Meanwhile, Marvin Hayes almost tallied a triple-double with his 18 points, 12 boards, and seven assists.
The Titans jumped on the Growling Tigers, taking a 25-11 first quarter lead and extending it to 19 numerous times in the third frame.
But Ironcon-UST rallied back behind Soulemane Chabi Yo, slicing the deficit to as low as four, 72-68, with 4:57 left.
Family Mart-Enderun then went to their starters, as they responded with an 8-0 spurt to grab an 80-68 advantage courtesy of a Hayes lay-up with 1:09 remaining.
The Growling Tigers’ shock loss sent them out of the playoffs. It also gifted St. Clare College Virtual Reality the no. 2 seed in the Aspirants Group, which comes with a twice-to-beat advantage.
Che’Lu Bar and Grill also booked the no. 4 seat in the process.
Chabi Yo’s effort of 25 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks went down the drain. Mark Nonoy got 18 points, four assists, and three boards.
The Growling Tigers finished sixth due to owning the inferior quotient in the five-way tie.
The Scores:
FamilyMart-Enderun 81 — Chauca 31, Hayes 18, Gotladera 6, Kouakou 6, Vidal 6, Dela Cruz 6, Nunez 3, Gatdula 3, Dungan 2, Escoto 0, Mariano 0, Sacundo 0, Veloso 0.
Ironcon-UST 74 — Chabi Yo 25, Nonoy 18, Abando 9, Asuncio 6, Concepcion 6, Bataller 6, Paraiso 4, Ando 0, Marcos 0, Yongco 0.
Quarterscores: 25-11, 46-34, 70-56, 81-74.
