MANILA – Cignal-Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles reached the semifinals of the 2019 PBA D-League after a 67-60 win over Chadao-Far Eastern University Tamaraws in the quarterfinals on Monday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Angelo Kouame led the way with double-double 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Ilonggo Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III had 10 points, six rebounds, three assists, and a steal for the Blue Eagles.
Down by as much as 11 points in the second quarter, the Blue Eagles went on a huge 21-7 scoring run behind Kouame, Ravena and Jolo Mendoza to seize a 39-38 advantage.
The Tamaraws played catch-up ball from there and managed to come to within a point but Mendoza led a 7-0 run that gave the Blue Eagles a 64-56 lead which was enough to seal the win.
“Our mentality was to take it possession by possession,” Blue Eagles lead assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga.
Cade Flores finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Joseph Nunag added 10 markers, alongside three rebounds for the Tamaraws.
Valencia City-SSC-R Golden Harvest also make it to the next round of the competition after a 91-87 overtime victory over the Che’lu Bar and Grill Revellers in the quarterfinals./PN
