HYPERWASH fended off Italiano's Homme, 70-64, to clinch a spot in the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup playoffs Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
JR Cawaling paced the Vipers with a game-high 17 points and five rebounds in the win that helped Hyperwash seal the fourth seed in Group B with an even 3-3 slate.
Ryan Buenafe also made his presence felt with 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
"Knowing this kind of players, kahit bad start kami, nakapag-cope up sila, nakapasok kami sa playoffs. Hopefully mas maging maayos pa tong playoffs para sa'min," said coach Joel Palapal.
Hyperwash appeared to have restored order after losing a 33-22 third quarter lead by establishing a nine-point advantage, 66-57, after a Buenafe trey with 2:19 left in the payoff period.
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Italiano's Homme, however, gave a major scare when it knocked to within just three points, 64-67, following Francis Munsayac's three-point play with 32.6 ticks remaining.
But Mac Montilla made his own three-point play with 25.6 seconds left to play to push Hyperwash's lead to six, and the Vipers made stops afterwards to walk away with the six-point victory.
Antonio Bonsubre had 11 points to lead Italiano's Homme, which has bowed out of contention with a 1-4 record.
Munsayac added 10 markers in the defeat.
The Scores:
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HYPERWASH 70 -- Cawaling 17, Buenafe 10, Montilla 9, Bringas 6, Ferrer 6, Penaflor 5, Julkipli 4, Fortuna 4, Dadjilul 4, Casajeros 3, De Ocampo 2, Cariaga 0, Jumao-as 0.
ITALIANO'S HOMME 64 -- Bonsubre 11, Munsayac 10, Pontejos 9, Neypes 8, Gozum 7, Villahermosa 7, Roy 5, Monte 5, Racho 2, Colina 0.
Quarters: 10-7, 22-18, 46-42, 70-64.
