Games Tuesday (Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig)
11 a.m. – Adalem Construction-St. Clare vs Apex Fuel-San Sebastian
1 p.m. – Wangs Basketball @26-Letran vs Builders Warehouse-UST
3 p.m. – EcoOil-La Salle vs AMA Online
Apex Fuel-San Sebastian College secured the top-seed and advanced to the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup semifinals with a 70-64 win over Wangs Basketball @26-Letran Monday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Romel Calahat’s 18-point and 6-rebound performance kept the Golden Stags’ five-game win streak going to rise to a 5-1 record.
“‘Di namin inaasahan ito kasi underdog kami pero tignan natin ang puso ng mga bata,” said coach Egay Macaraya. “‘Yung character at kagustuhan nilang manalo, doon pa lang deserving na sila.”
Apex Fuel-San Sebastian also drew big games from Rafael Are, who had 12 points, three boards, and two assists; Rhinwil Yambing, who got 10 points and seven boards; and Alex Desoyo, who scored back-to-back buckets in the final five minutes to restore order and take a 68-58 lead with 3:22 remaining.
The Knights relied on Fran Yu, who tallied18 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists.
Wangs-Letran, however, dropped its third straight game to fall to 3-3 and will fight for its life against Builders Warehouse-UST on Tuesday.
In the first game, Centro Escolar University marched on to the playoffs with another 84-77 upset win, this time against Marinerong Pilipino.
Jerome Santos caught fire in the second half, dropping 18 of his 25 points in the final two frames as he also collected nine rebounds and two steals for the Scorpions’ second win and more importantly, a spot in the playoffs.
“Beyond my expectations itong lahat. ‘Di ko pa na-imagine sa young team namin na makapasok sa playoffs pero lahat ng ito, pinagtulung-tulungan ng players at tinrabaho nila itong lahat,” said coach Chico Manabat as his side ended their eliminations at 4-3.
Marinerong Pilipino also botched its second try to clinch an outright semifinal berth as this loss dropped it to a 4-3 record.
The Scores:
First Game:
CEU 84—Santos 25, Santiago 13, Diaz 8, Balogun 8, Tolentino 8, Ancheta 6, Ferrer 5, Borromeo 5, Bernabe 4, Malicana 2, Reyes 0, Enrile 0, Cabotaje 0.
Marinerong Pilipino 77—Nocum 18, Bonifacio 13, Gamboa 13, Go 12, Carino 9, Garcia 5, Pido 3, Agustin 2, Bonsubre 2, Hernandez 0.
Quarters: 27-26, 45-38, 66-50, 84-77.
Second Game:
Apex Fuel-San Sebastian 70—Calahat 18, Are 12, Yambing 10, Desoyo 8, Una 7, Sumoda 5, Altamirano 5, Shanoda 2, Escobido 2, Suico 1, Cosari 0, Garcia 0, Felebrico 0.
Wangs-Letran 64 — Yu 18, Sangalang 13, Paraiso 11, Guarino 11, Javillonar 9, Monje 2, Bataller 0, Olivario 0, Reyson 0, Ariar 0, Lantaya 0.
Quarters: 23-14, 38-29, 58-49, 70-64.