MANILA – Metropac-San Beda University Red Lions hardly broke a sweat as it cruised to a 75-51 victory over Chadao-Far Eastern University Tamaraws in the 2019 PBA D-League on Thursday night at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Calvin Oftana finished with double-double 20 points and 11 rebounds,, James Canlas added 15 markers, while Ilonggo Clint Doliguez had 11 markers for the Red Lions, which improved to 3-1 win-loss slate.
The Red Lions wasted no time imposing its dominance on the Tamaraws by building a 31-11 lead early in the second quarter, which proved to be too insurmountable for the latter to climb back from.
“Chinallenge ko lang ‘yung players ko. I told them our character will be tested (against Tamaraws),” said Red Lions head coach Boyet Fernandez. “We know FEU is a strong team. We’re just lucky they probably woke up in the wrong side of the bed.”
No Tamaraw finished in double figures in the loss that dropped their card to 2-3, with Wendell Comboy already their highest scorer with seven points, while Joseph Nunag and Kenneth Tuffin added six markers each.
Meanwhile, St. Clare College-Virtual Reality Saints toppled Family Mart-Enderun, 71-64, to gain a share of the pole position in the Aspirants Group wide University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.
Irvin Palencia set the pace for the 4-0 Saints with 16 points, four rebounds, and four asisst assists, while Joshua Fontanilla contributed 14 points, three boards, and three dimes and Ray Rubio chimed in 11 markers.
The Saints pulled away in the fourth quarter by opening the period with six straight points en route to a 59-47 lead with 7:06 remaining, and they would keep Enderun at bay the rest of the way./PN
