MANILA – Technological Institute of the Philippines Engineers cruised to its second straight win in the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup after a 92-71 rout of Hyperwash at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Senegalese center Papa Ndiaye tallied double-double 28 points and 17 rebounds on Monday night while Bryan Santos and Christian Daguro chipped in 19 and 12 markers, respectively.
Holding to a 51-44 lead at the half, the Engineers slowly created distance from Hyperwash in the third period before pulling away for good in the final canto with a 16-3 start en route to a huge 89-62 advantage.
“We’ve been continuing what we’ve been doing since summer until eventually we get better,” said Engineers head coach Potit De Vera. “The chemistry and the spirit of the team are there. We’re willing to play for each other.”
Khazim Mirza spearheaded the offense for Hyperwash with 22 points, six assists and four rebounds while fellow former University of Santo Tomas Growling Tiger Jeric Fortuna had 16 markers.
Meanwhile, Hazchem Green Warriors started its PBA D-League campaign on a winning note as it topple fellow newcomer Nailtalk-Savio Unicorns, 98-78. Raymark Matias had double-double 24 points and 14 rebounds for the Green Warriors.
After nearly losing a 15-point second quarter lead, the Green Warriors restored order in the third period with a 9-0 scoring run to establish a 66-47 advantage with 4:44 on the clock.
The Unicorns made its counter run in the fourth to cut the deficit to 72-80 before Matias and Marvin Morraga nailed back-to-back conversions to restore order for the Green Warriors./PN
