UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas pulled away late en route to a 94-82 victory over Go for Gold-College of St. Benilde to claim the top spot of the Aspirants Group in the 2019 PBA D-League, Monday at Paco Arena in Manila.
UST lost hold of a 10-point lead in the third canto as Go for Gold knocked within five in the final frame, but the Growling Tigers responded with an 8-0 run for an 82-69 lead with 3:56 left to play to put the game away for good.
Soulemane Chabi Yo powered the Growling Tigers with 32 points on 11-of-13 shooting from the field along with 25 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks in the win that improved UST's record to 4-0.
Sherwin Concepcion supplied 13 points and 19 rebounds, as guard Mark Nonoy delivered 10 markers, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals in the win.
"We started flat, buti na lang yung second stringers ko bumawi. It's a preseason game, so ang priority namin is how to improve as a team. And nakikita ko na marami pang dapat trabahuhin," said UST head coach Aldin Ayo as his side scored 37 bench points.
Sponsored content:
"Sana habang mas tumatagal yung liga, mas mabuo kami as a team."
Justin Gutang led the Scratchers with 29 points and 11 rebounds in the loss that dropped their card to 1-3.
Jimboy Pasturan contributed 13 points, while forward Yankee Haruna chimed in 10 markers and five rebounds.
The Scratchers played without Fil-Am forward Roosevelt Adams due to a knee injury.
The Scores:
Sponsored content:
UST 94 -- Chabi Yo 32, Concepcion 13, Subido 12, Nonoy 10, Ando 9, Lee 8, Abando 6, Pangilinan 2, Paraiso 2, Bataller 0, Marcos 0.
GO FOR GOLD-CSB 82 -- Gutang 29, Pasturan 13, Haruna 10, Naboa 9, Carlos 8, Belgica 7, Nayve 4, Dixon 2, Pili 0, Young 0, Pangalangan 0.
Quarters: 20-17, 43-35, 68-60, 94-82.
