APEX Fuel-San Sebastian blasted error-prone EcoOil-La Salle,73-51, for its third straight victory Thursday in the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ichie Altamirano had seven steals to lead the Golden Stags with 15 points, six assists, and five rebounds as Apex climbed to a 3-1 card.
His hounding ways sparked Apex Fuel-San Sebastian’s breakaway as it used a 20-point third quarter to build a 53-34 advantage that further grew to 26 points, 73-47, courtesy of an Altamirano three with 3:26 remaining.
“Surprising talaga, but I have to give credit to the boys kasi alam ko kung gaano kahirap ‘yung ginagawa na depensa,” said coach Egay Macaraya.
Romel Calahat chipped in 13 points and seven boards off the bench, while Rafael Are and Raymart Escobido scored nine each.
EcoOil-La Salle was just too careless with the ball, committing 30 turnovers that led to 20 points for the opposition.
Michael Phillips paced the Green Archers with 11 points and eight rebounds as they dropped to 2-2.
In the first game, Johnsherick Estrada powered Adalem Construction-St. Clare to an 87-86 escape win over Builders Warehouse-UST.
The NAASCU MVP fired 13 of his 21 points in the payoff period to lead the Saints to their third win to be the first team to clinch a playoff spot at 3-2. He also grabbed eight rebounds and five assists in the victory.
“Humanap kami ng go-to guy para ma-seal namin ng maayos ‘yung game,” coach Jinino Manansala said of Estrada, who was supported by Joshua Fontanilla’s 17 points and seven assists and John Rojas’ 16 points, three dimes, and two boards.
The Scores:
First Game:
Adalem-St. Clare 87—Estrada 21, Fontanilla 17, Rojas 16, Ndong 8, Sablan 7, Estacio 6, Sumagaysay 5, Gamboa 4, Lopez 3, Tapenio 0, Manacho 0.
Builders Warehouse-UST 86— Concepcion 19, Santos 17, Baclaan 14, Pangilinan 11, Stevens 7, Manalang 5, Mantua 5, Cabanero 4, Wilson 4, Escobido 0, Crisostomo 0, Canoy 0, Herrera 0.
Quarters: 16-21, 34-40, 59-60, 87-86.
Second Game:
Apex Fuel-San Sebastian 73 — Altamirano 15, Calahat 13, Are 9, Escobido 9, Una 8, Villapando 5, Sumoda 5, Shanoda 5, Desoyo 2, Yambing 2, Felebrico 0.
EcoOil-La Salle 51 — M. Phillips 11, Macalalag 11, Cortez 6, Manuel 5, Austria 5, Nwankwo 5, Buensalida 4, Alao 3, Estacio 1, Escandor 0.
Quarters: 24-13, 33-27, 53-38, 73-51.
