MANILA – Cignal HD-Ateneo Blue Eagles clinched the crown in the 2019 PBA D-League after a 98-66 win over Centro Escolar University Scorpions in Game 4 of the best-of-five finals on Tuesday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Ivorian import Angelo Kouame had double-double 18 points and 16 rebounds, while William Navarro and Ilonggo Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena had 16 and 15 points, respectively, for the Blue Eagles.
Conference MVP George Isaac Go chimed in seven points and seven rebounds for the Blue Eagles, which used the tournament as preparation for their three-peat bid in UAAP men’s basketball.
It was the Blue Eagles’ first title in the developmental league, winning the cup in only their first foray, as the Cignal HD banner also won its third championship, the first two banking on the San Beda core back in the 2016-17 season.
The Blue Eagles wasted no time taking the fight away from the Scorpions with a 27-5 running start behind early hits from Navarro and Kouame to end the opening quarter with scorching 75 percent shooting.
That fiery start set the tone for the rout that was about to come, with the Blue Eagles waylaying the Scorpions as they held a lead as high as 37, 79-42, thanks to Gian Mamuyac’s three-point play late in the third.
Rich Guinitaran was the lone bright spot with 20 points, four rebounds, and three steals, while Dave Bernabe chipped in 12 markers for the Scorpions./PN
