MANILA – Asia’s Lashes Tomas Morato Soldiers weathered disaster to escape with a 106-105 win over AMA Online Education Titans in the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Paco Arena in Manila.
The Soldiers squandered a 13-point fourth quarter advantage and even stared at a 103-102 deficit on Thursday before leaning on four free throw hits by James Martinez to avert the meltdown.
Martinez finished the match with 13 points, five assists and three rebounds, while Adrian Celada top-scored for the Soldiers with 26 points built on eight three-point baskets.
Francis Camacho had 13 points. Levi Dela Cruz supplied 12 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals, and Jeson Delfinado chimed in 10 markers.
Wasted in Titans’ defeat was the triple-double of Aaron Black who had 25 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists, with four steals and two blocks.
Rey De Mesa added 22 points, six rebounds, and two assists in the loss.
n the second game, Technological Institute of the Philippines Engineers blasted McDavid-La Salle Araneta Stallions with a 25-point blowout, 106-81, for a rousing debut.
Senegalese big man Papa Ndiaye powered the Engineers with 26 points, including 12 in the second period alone, along with eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and a steal.
In the third game, BRT Sumisip Basilan-St. Clare Saints handed newcomer Alberei a harsh 33-point beatdown, 114-81.
Jhaps Bautista led the Saints with 21 points and five assists./PN
