[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’PBA D-LEAGUE: Ilonggo Bitoon powers Gamboa Coffee to victory’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’18’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
Saturday, March 17, 2018
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=’18’ font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
MANILA – Gamboa Coffee Mix-St. Clare drew strength from Chris Bitoon as it scored a 100-83 upset over Centro Escolar University Scorpions in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Iloilo City-native Bitoon tallied 19 points, five assists and had four rebounds.
With the win, the Coffee Lovers improved to 5-3 win-loss record and inched closer to its first-ever postseason appearance.
Trevis Jackson chipped in 18 markers on Thursday while Aris Dionisio and Mohammed Pare had double-double performances of 15 points and 12 rebounds and 14 points and 17 boards, respectively.
“’Yung depensa namin ang talagang nagdikta ng laro,” said Coffee Lovers head coach Jinino Manansala. “Sabi ko sa mga bata, stick to our game plan at nag-respond naman sila.”
The Coffee Lovers recovered from an early 7-0 deficit and staged a decisive 27-8 run to end the first quarter ahead at 27-15. The Coffee Lovers never trailed since and increased the lead to its largest at 93-64 with 3:52 left in the game.
Art Aquino tallied 16 points and six rebounds for the Scorpions, who had their four-game winning snapped. However, Scorpions’ 7-2 mark kept the team on top of the standings and in contention for an outright semifinal berth.
In the second game, Akari-Adamson University Falcons trounce Wang’s Basketball-Letran Knights, 90-71, to forge a tie with the Scorpions on top of the standings.
The victory was huge for the Falcons as it only not got a share of the top spot in the standings but also secured a quarterfinals seat or — if they hang on to top two after eliminations — an outright semis seat./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
