METROPAC-San Beda got its act together in the nick of time to defeat SMDC-NU, 94-86 in the 2019 PBA D-League on Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Donald Tankoua poured 10 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter to help the Movers claw their way back from an 80-72 deficit with 7:24 to play.
A 20-2 blast put Metropac-San Beda up, 82-72 with 1:57 left and SMDC-NU never recovered after that.
Calvin Oftana uncorked 18 points and eight rebounds and Clint Doliguez chipped in 16 points, five assists and three steals for Metropac-San Beda which averted an upset.
"It's really our defense that stepped up in the last seven minutes," said coach Boyet Fernandez. "I kept on challenging the boys that we won't win this game against NU if we don't play defense. So we just got back to basics, yung pressure sa depensa, yun ang ibinalik namin."
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Young guards James Canlas and Peter Alfaro combined for 22 points as the Movers extended their winning streak to three games and improve to 5-1 (win-lost) record in the Foundation Group.
Dave Ildefonso collected 30 points but couldn't save the Bulldogs from picking up its fifth loss in as many games.
John Lloyd Clemente had 11 points and five boards while Senegalese center Issa Gaye grabbed 26 rebounds that went with his nine points and five blocks for SMDC-NU.
The Scores:
METROPAC-SAN BEDA 94 -- Tankoua 23, Oftana 18, Doliguez 16, Canlas 11, Alfaro 11, Nelle 5, Obenza 5, Etrata 2, Cuntapay 2, Bahio 1, Abuda 0.
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SMDC-NU 86 -- D. Ildefonso 30, Oczon 11, Clemente 11, Gaye 9, Minerva 8, S. Ildefonso 7, Sistoza 4, Galinato 4, Chatman 2, Diputado 0, Gallego 0, Rangel 0, Mangayao 0, Sinclair 0.
Quarters: 23-21, 40-43, 66-71, 94-86.
