MANILA – Ilonggo Chris Bitoon came up with clutch conversions as Gamboa-St. Clare Coffee Lovers edged Wang’s-Letran Knights 87-76 in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
After their 22-point lead got whittled down to 75-74, Bitoon carried the cudgels for Coffee Lovers with consecutive conversions to raise their edge back to double figures.
The Iloilo City native finished with 22 points, four assists and three rebounds for Coffee Lovers, which was assured of its first-ever quarterfinals appearance with a 6-4 win-loss slate after the game last Wednesday.
Trevis Jackson led Coffee Lovers with 29 markers. Mohammed Pare added double-double 12 points and 12 rebounds while Aris Dionisio finished with 11 markers and 13 boards.
“Sinasabi ko sa players na itong game na ito, win or go home na kami,” said Coffee Lovers head coach Jinino Manansala. “Expect ko lang, lalaban lang kami. Kung manalo, bonus na lang iyon. Pero, awa ng Diyos, nag-step up ang bench namin.”
In the other match, Marinerong Pilipino Skippers cruised to its seventh consecutive victory as it walloped University of Perpetual Help Systam Dalta-Altas 78-66.
Alvin Pasaol and Gabriel Banal top-scored with 15 markers apiece while Ilonggo Billy Ray Robles and Vince Tolentino tallied 10 markers apiece for Skippers.
From a tightly contested first half, Skippers started to pull away in the third period with a strong 13-2 scoring run before keeping Altas’ fourth quarter rally at bay with timely hits from Pasaol./PN
