Saint Clare outlasts CCI-Yengskivel in PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup

GO Torakku-St. Clare fended off CCI-Yengskivel, 114-106, to complete the Final Four cast in the 2024 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) D-League Aspirants’ Cup late Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The fourth-ranked Saints, with a twice-to-beat edge, relinquished a 21-point lead but held on just enough for the gritty quarterfinal victory to barge into the best-of-three semifinals starting Thursday.

Saint Clare will face unbeaten and reigning champion EcoOil-La Salle while No. 3 seed Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda and second-ranked Centro Escolar University clash in the other bracket.

Megan Galang fired 19 points, five rebounds and an assist while Charles Burgos and Babacar Ndong contributed 14 points apiece in the Saints’ mastery of the Crusaders after a 118-84 win in the elims.

Luiz Tapenio (13), JM Estacio (12), Ezekiel Russel (10) and Simone De Guzman (10) were also instrumental.

But the Saints needed everything they could handle this time around despite erecting an early 21-point lead, 45-24.

Jhone Amansec and Julius Valderama had 19 and 17 points, respectively, for the Crusaders en route to elimination. — John Bryan Ulanday

The Scores:

Go Torraku-St.Clare 114 – Galang 19, Burgos 14, Ndong 14, Tapenio 13, Estacio 12, De Guzman 10, Russel 10, Sual 9, Decano 7, Yu 3, Cabauatan 3.

CCI-Yengskivel 106 – Amansec 19, Valderama 17, Buenaflor 16, Galvez 12, Tener 11, Nuarin 10, Guray 7, Dela Cruz 6, Esguerra 6, Puzon 2, Laran 0, Palma 0, Dever 0.

Quarterscores: 27-16, 54-39, 87-83, 114-106.