A BREAKTHROUGH and lopsided win the last time out is serving Builders Warehouse-University of Santo Tomas in good stead.
Bolstered by a fiery fourth quarter show, the Growling Tigers stunned fancied Marinerong Pilipino yesterday, pulling off an 88-80 victory for their second straight win that kept alive their playoff bid in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Sherwin Concepcion scattered 18 points spiked by four three-pointers, to go with 10 rebounds for Builders Warehouse-UST, while Nic Cabañero chipped in 18 markers, eight boards, and four assists.
Bryan Santos also had 16 and four, while Kean Baclaan and Royce Mantua combined for 25 for the Tigers, who scored a fitting follow-up to their 150-79 dismantling of AMA Online two days ago.
The Skippers, coming off an 87-49 ripping of the Kings last Tuesday, slipped to 4-2 in a tie with EcoOil-La Salle.
In the first game, Centro Escolar University shocked Wangs Basketball@26-Letran 81-75 for its third win and boosted its playoffs hopes.
Franz Diaz led the Scorpions with a game-best 22 points that he laced with seven rebounds, while Jerome Santos added 14 markers, three caroms, and four feeds.
Nigerian Victor Balogun had 13 and five as CEU atoned for a 62-71 loss to Apex Fuel-San Sebastian College three days ago and hiked its record to 3-3 in a tie with Adalem Construction-St. Clare.
The Knights absorbed their second defeat in a row, counting an 87-94 setback at the hands of EcoOil-La Salle last Tuesday and dropped to 3-2.
Builders Warehouse-UST interim coach Albert Alocillo vowed his squad will go all-out in its last elims outing against Wangs Basketball@26-Letran on Tuesday.
“I’m so happy because our players are responding. I want to thank God for this wonderful win. Ine-embrace nila iyong sistema na ibinibigay namin sa kanila,” Alocillo said.
