Petron-Letran squeaks past St. Clare in PBA D-League

Games Thursday
(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig)
11 a.m. — Perpetual vs Valencia City Bukidnon-SSCR
1 p.m. — Cignal-Ateneo vs Batangas-EAC
3 p.m. — CEU vs SMDC-NU

MANILA, Philippines – Petron-Letran pulled off a great 91-90 escape against St. Clare College Virtual Reality in the 2019 PBA D-League at JCSGO Gym in Cubao on Monday.

Alvin Pasaol started off hot with his 10 first quarter points to guide his side to a 31-11 advantage, before once again imposing his might late, dropping eight of the Knights' last 11 points.

He registered 28 points, seven rebounds and three assists in the win.

Jerrick Balanza also churned out a solid 22 points and five rebounds, as well as the go-ahead assist for a Christian Balagasay layup with 13 ticks left that shifted the lead back to Petron-Letran.

Saints guard Paul Santos had a chance to steal the game with a baseline jumper, but his teammate Junjie Hallare was whistled for an offensive foul for a moving screen in the final 1.7 seconds which all but dashed their side's hopes after crawling back from a deficit as big as 28, 48-20, in the first half.

"Moving screen eh," said coach Bonnie Tan. "Hindi naman ako referee, but in my view, ganoon yung nangyari."

Jeo Ambohot added a double-double with his 11 points and nine rebounds, while Jeremiah Taladua fired 11.

The win allowed the Knights to claim solo third place in the Aspirants Group at 5-2, while dropping the Saints to fourth at 4-2.

Hallare carried St. Clare with 22 points, 13 coming in the fourth frame, alongside his seven rebounds.

The scores:

PETRON-LETRAN 91 — Pasaol 28, Balanza 22, Ambohot 11, Taladua 11, Balagasay 6, Caralipio 4, Olivario 4, Reyson 2, Ular 2, Sangalang 1, Mina 0.

ST. CLARE 90 — Hallare 22, Pare 20, Rivera 18, Fontanilla 9, Rubio 8, Lunor 8, Santos 3, Palencia 2, Fuentes 0.
Quarters: 34-13, 54-35, 74-55, 91-90.