Eagles rip Generals, clinch playoff berth

MANILA, Philippines — Cignal-Ateneo booked a playoff seat while snuffing out Batangas-Emilio Aguinaldo College’s hopes with a 90-46 rout in the PBA D-League at the Ynares Sports Arena.

The Blue Eagles posted a 21-point lead, 40-19, at the turn and never looked back en route to their fifth straight win and seventh overall against a lone loss in the Aspirants’ Group.

The victory, which came on the heels of its  75-point annihilation, 106-31, of McDavid last week, allowed Cignal-Ateneo to advance as it strengthened its hold of the top spot in its bracket.

Later in the day, SMDC-National University showed tremendous effort in the second half, battling back from a 19-point deficit to stun erstwhile unbeaten leader Centro Escolar U, 74-67, to keep its playoff hopes alive.

Earlier, Valencia City, Bukidnon-San Sebastian hit its stride in the third quarter, drubbing University of Perpetual Help, 106-75, to draw closer to a playoff seat.