Benilde, St. Clare down rivals

by Jonas Terrado

Games Monday (Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City)
12 noon – Wangs vs SMDC-NU
2 p.m. – CD14-Trinity vs Perpetual
4 p.m. – Ironcon-UST vs Che’Lu

Go for Gold-St. Benilde and St. Clare College-Virtual Reality boosted their respective quarterfinal bids after posting crucial victories in the PBA D-League at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Roosevelt Adams erupted for 29 points on 6-of-9 triples as Go for Gold snapped Petron-Letran’s two-game winning streak, 107-87, while St. Clare ended a two-game slide after trouncing lowly McDavid, 93-82.

St. Clare climbed to third place in the Aspirants Group at 5-2 while Go for Gold moved a half-game behind Petron (5-3) for fourth place with a 4-3 slate.

The top four teams in both the Aspirants and Foundation Groups after the eliminations advance to the crossover quarterfinals.

Adams also had 11 rebounds and four blocks to help Go for Gold gain a 64-35 third quarter lead before scuttling Petron’s minor comeback attempt in the fourth.

Unique Naboa also had 20 points, five rebounds and seven assists while Ynakie Haruna and Clement Leutcheu scored 14 points each in the win that came despite the absence of Justin Gutang and Kendrix Belgica.

Earlier, Mohammad Pare produced 22 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, Darwin Lunor scored 19 points and Junjie Hallare turned in 13 points and nine boards to put St. Clare back on winning track.

The Saints won after losses to Cignal-Ateneo and Petron-Letran.

In the third game, Diliman College-Gerry’s Grill survived Marinerong Pilipino, 86-85, to gain a share of fourth place with idle Chadao-Far Eastern University at 4-3 in the Foundation Group.

Kevin Gandjeto hit one of two free throws in the dying seconds before the Blue Dragons forced Mike Ayonayon and Art Aquino to miss their game-winning attempts.