Saints explode for 180 points in D-League match

MANILA, Philippines — BRT Sumisip Basilan – St. Clare staged a shooting clinic and won by a mile while TIP pulled off its own win to complete the Final Four cast in the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Paco Arena in Manila yesterday.

The unbeaten Saints shattered their own D-League scoring record, erupting for a massive 180-117 victory over No. 4 Hyperwash while the second-ranked Engineers drubbed No.3 Black Mamba, 82-71, at the end of the Group B quarterfinals.

St. Clare arranged a best-of-three Final Four duel with Group A No. 2 team CEU. TIP, meanwhile, faces Group A pace-setter and unblemished Marinerong Pilipino in their own semis pairing starting this Thursday.

Twelve players hit double digits in the Saints’ historic 180-point explosion, the new all-time highest scoring record in D-League history. They erased their own tally of 161 against Black Mamba earlier this month.

Cris Dumapig led St. Clare’s barrage with 21 points and 12 rebounds while James Manacho (18), Jhaps Bautista (18), Joseph Peñaredondo (17), Junjie Hallare (14), Joshua Fontanilla (13), Rojay Santos (12), Clarence Tiquia (12), Ray Rubio (11), Aeron Decano (11), Hesed Gabo (10) and Mohammed Pare (10) also scored at will. – John Bryan Ulanday