Go Torakku-St. Clare routed Keanzel Basketball, 124-90, to clinch a coveted spot in the quarterfinals in the 2024 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Saints got off to a slow start but picked up their rhythm in the second quarter to seize control for good.
They finished the classification round with a 2-3 record, good for fourth place plus the luxury of a twice-to-beat advantage against CCI-Yengskivel in the quarterfinals.
Regardless the result of its match against Centro Escolar University (the two teams are still playing as of presstime), CCI-Yengskivel will finish at fifth, no thanks to its 118-84 loss to Go Torakku-St. Clare on Tuesday.
The Top 3 spots is a toss-up among EcoOil-La Salle, CEU and Marinerong Pilipino. pending the completion of games at the close of the classification round.
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Keanzel Basketball, which went without a win in five games, is at six spot and will face the third seed in the quarters.
"Must-win ito sa amin kasi kung natalo kami, possible pa 3-way tie sa 1-4. Sabi ko lang sa players, nakakalaro namin sila sa mother league namin at maganda naman ipinapakita namin, wag nating baguhin," said Go Torakku-St. Clare mentor Jinino Manansala.
"Ito 'yung resulta. Noong second half, umalagwa na."
Keanzel Basketball looked like it would pull off a surprise after taking a 25-19 lead at the end of the first quarter.
But Go Torakku-St. Clare quickly recovered their senses and got their acts together in the second. With Charles Brian Burgos and Mark Balacaoc at the firing end, the Saints outscored Keanzel Basketball, 29-14, to take the lead at 48-39 at the half.
Eugene Cabauatan topscored for Go Torakku-St. Clare with 19 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Earl Yu scored 13 while Burgos finished with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds.
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Denzel Wong tallied 31 points and Alfren Gayosa had 17 for Keanzel. (JBU)
The Scores:
Go Torakku-St. Clare 124 - Cabauatan 19, Burgos 13, Yu 13, Galang 11, Manzano 10, Russel 9, Balacaoc 9, Dumancas 8, Sual 8, De Guzman 7, Decano 6, Estacio 6, Tapenio 5, Angeles 0.
Keanzel 90 - Wong 31, Gayosa 17, Ceniza 12, Alota 12, Villamor 4, Ibo 4, Romero 3, Maurillo 3, Baclic 2, Advincula 2, Alina 0, Yambao 0.
Quarterscores: 19-25, 48-39, 89-60, 124-90.
