MANILA – Metropac-San Beda University Red Lions escaped the upset try of the SMDC-National University Bulldogs for a 94-86 win in the 2019 PBA D-League on Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Donald Tankoua led the way with 23 points, Calvin Oftana uncorked 18 points and eight rebounds, while Clint Doliguez chipped in 16 points, five assists, three boards, and three steals for the Red Lions (5-1).
The Red Lions had a strong start as they were ahead 23-21 after the first period but the Bulldogs found its shooting touch to lead by as much as 80-72 early in the fourth quarter.
Tankoua then spearheaded the fight back for the Red Lions as he contributed 10 markers in the huge 20-2 scoring run that gave then an 82-72 edge with under two minutes left.
“It’s really our defense that stepped up in the last seven minutes,” said Red Lions head coach Boyet Fernandez. “We just got back to basics, ‘yung pressure sa depensa, ‘yun ang ibinalik namin.”
Dave Ildefonso led the winless Bulldogs (0-5) with 30 points and five rebounds. John Lloyd Clemente had 11 points and five boards, as Senegalese center Issa Gaye grabbed 26 rebounds, alongside his nine points and five blocks.
Meanwhile, Cameroonian bruiser Patrick Tchuente conspired with Ken Tuffin as the Far Eastern University Tamaraws gained early headways en route to an 83-64 win over University of Perpetual Help Altas.
Tchuente unloaded 12 points and seven rebounds as he continues his recovery from a ruptured knee, as Tuffin got seven points and eight boards in the game, where Chadao-FEU held a 25-point lead, 80-55 with 2:27 left./PN
