ADALEM Construction-St. Clare succeeded where five other teams previously failed — bring down Apex Fuel-San Sebastian College that also went with a handsome reward yesterday.
Boosted by a key third quarter run, the Saints tripped the Golden Stags 80-66 to gain a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals of the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
John Rojas showed the way for Adalem Construction-St. Clare with a game-high 20 points, on top of seven rebounds and four assists, while NAASCU MVP Johnsherick Estrada backed him up with 19 markers, seven boards, and two dimes.
In the second game, Builders Warehouse-University of Santo Tomas completed the stunning ouster of Wangs Basketball@26-Letran, hacking out an 89-81 victory to bag the last quarterfinals berth.
Joshua Fontanilla also had 14 points on three three-pointers for the Saints who recovered from a painful 69-72 loss to EcoOil-La Salle seven days ago and wound up with a 4-3 mark after the eliminations.
Apex Fuel-San Sebastian, coming off a 70-64 win over Wangs Basketball@26-Letran last Monday, ended the eliminations with a 5-2 card.
