MANILA – Petron-Letran Knights cruised to its third straight win in the 2019 PBA D-League after a 77-70 beating of Family Mart-Enderun at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
Alvin Pasaol lit up for 24 points, 10 rebounds, and three rejections, while Jerrick Balanza contributed 14 points, three boards, and three assists for the Knights, which improved to 3-1 win-loss slate.
The Knights seemed headed to an easy victory after grabbing a 66-52 lead early in the fourth quarter, but Valandre Chauca and John Vidal anchored a huge run by Family Mart-Enderun to come to within 68-74.
Family Mart-Enderun attempted to come even closer but the time was not on their side as the Knights came up with timely conversions to preserve the victory.
“We’re still learning. It’s a good win for us against a school-based team,” said Knights head coach Bonnie Tan. “Enderun played well, gave us good defense na di namin ine-expect.”
Chauca led the winless Family Mart-Enderun (0-4) with 22 points on a 5-of-9 shooting from downtown, alongside five assists and four rebounds. Alfonso Gotladera also corraled 14 points and six boards in the defeat.
Meanwhile, Gelo Vito top-scored with 19 points as the Wangs Basketball Couriers scored back-to-back wins with a 75-64 drubbing of University of Perpetual Help Altas.
But it was Arvin Tolentino who took matters to his own hands in the fourth quarter, spearheading a 9-0 tear that turned a 56-55 deficit for Wangs to a 64-56 advantage with 4:58 left on the game clock./PN
