GO Torakku-St. Clare heeded coach Jinino Manansala’s all not to look past its foes yesterday and was rewarded with handsome dividends.
Boosted by a vicious second-quarter breakaway, Go Torakku-St. Clare dismantled CCI-Yengskivel 118-84 yesterday for its first win and stayed in the hunt for a quarterfinal incentive in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
After three failed tries, St. Clare finally crashed the winner’s circle in style, thanks to a second-quarter blitz for a crucial victory that kept its hopes for a twice-to-beat playoffs edge alive.
“Ang lalakas noong mga unang nakalaban namin (who are top two teams) pero ito, sabi ko lang sa kanila, huwag nila i-underestimate,” Manansala said. “Kalapit namin na school ito so parang for pride na rin.
“Ang sabi ko lang sa mga bata, gawin lang nila iyong mga tamang itinuturo namin,” he added.
Megan Galang boomed in four treys for 20 points to lead five players in double digits as the Go Torakku-backed squad improved to 1-3, tied with CCI-Yengskivel for fourth.
With the top two teams booking outright semifinal berths in the short tourney, win-once bonuses will be rewarded to the third and fourth-ranked teams in the quarterfinals against the bottom teams.
Go Torakku-St. Clare made sure to stay on that path with solid play from Simone de Guzman, JM Estacio, and Ryan Sual with 14, 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
Babacar Ndong anchored the paint with 16 points and 15 boards for St. Clare entering another must-win duel against Keanzel Basketball in the final eliminations round playdate tomorrow at the same venue.
