MANILA – Technological Institute of the Philippines Engineers made it to the semifinals of the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup after an 82-71 win over Black Mamba Energy Drink in the quarterfinals at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Papa Ndiaye tallied 22 points and nine rebounds. Rey De Mesa supplied 12 points, four rebounds and three assists while Bryan Santos contributed 10 markers.
The Engineers had a strong start and went up 30-14 in the second quarter before the Energy Drink rallied back to take a 46-44 edge following Jay Gadon’s free throws with 2:50 in the third canto.
The Engineers answered back with a 16-5 run, punctuated by Jun Bonsubre’s triple en route to restore an 11-point lead, 60-49, with 7:26 left to play en route to sealing the win.
Now, the Engineers is setting its sights on its best-of-three semis against Marinerong Pilipino Skippers which, coincidentally, was its partner in the 2018 Foundation Cup. That joint venture resulted to a semis trip.
As the Energy Drink bowed out of contention, Ilonggo Billy Ray Robles finished with double-double 21 points and 10 rebounds while Dahrell Caranguian made 17 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, BRT Sumisip Basilan-St. Clare Saints hardly broke a sweat in entering the semifinals round, blasting Hyperwash Vipers, 180-117.
Cris Dumapig finished with a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds. James Camacho and Jhaps Bautista had 18 each as the Saints rewrote the developmental league’s history books once again in the lopsided win./PN
