St. Clare foils Generals, shares D-League lead

MANILA, Philippines — St. Clare College-Virtual Reality quashed Batangas-Emilio Aguinaldo College’s repeated fightbacks in the fourth quarter to prevail, 80-73, and grab a share of the lead in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Group yesterday at Paco Arena.

Junjie Hallare fired 18 points, capped by an undergoal stab and two freebies in the homestretch, to power the Saints to their third straight win into a tie for pole position with idle Santo Tomas Tigers.

He also pulled down 15 boards, dished out three steals and an assist but blundered on five turnovers.

“I just remind my players to give their best every practice because it will show in the game. We are given a chance here in the D-League, we should not waste it,” said Saints coach Jinino Manansala.

In the other game,  Petron-Letran repelled veteran-laden McDavid’s third-quarter rally to score an 89-64 triumph and string up back-to-back wins.

Jeo Ambohot collected 17 points, eight rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block while fellow big man Larry Muyang put in 11 points, three rebounds and six assists to lift the Knights to joint fourth with the Che’Lu Bar and Grill Revellers at 2-1.

Michole Sorela and Ogie Menor each scored nine for McDavid which remained winless after three games.