TECHNOLOGICAL Institute of the Philippines surged in the third quarter on the way to an 88-69 win over National College of Business and Arts, 88-69, in the PG Flex Linoleum-UCBL yesterday at the Olivarez College gym in Parañaque City.
TIP’s win was its first in five games while extending NCBA’s losing streak to five.
The TIP Engineers outscored the NCBA Wildcats, 24-10, in that period to pull away from a 43-all halftime deadlock to their first win after four defeats.
Papa Ndiaye exploded for 27 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and three steals for TIP, while Christian Daguro scored 23 points including four triples apart from five rebounds and six assists.
The Engineers trailed in the first quarter, 26-24, before they picked up rhythm in the next three frames anchored on nifty passes that translated to a 34-of-67 shooting for 50 percent.
They tallied 23 assists compared to the Wildcats’ 14.
Jaylen Ang also stepped up for TIP with 12 points and six boards, while Jhon Calisay and Russell Tan merged for 14 points.
Jose Maria Agustin erupted for 30 points highlighted by five treys but couldn’t save NCBA as it plummeted to a fifth straight defeat.
Kevin Rodriguez also had 10 points and 13 rebounds in a losing cause for the Wildcats.
Meanwhile, Diliman College clobbered undermanned Centro Escolar University, 90-62, to remain unscathed in five games.
The Diliman Blue Dragons held the CEU Scorpions to two points in the third quarter to pad their 39-38 halftime lead to 67-40 entering the fourth.
Robbi Darang paced Diliman with 23 points and seven assists, Kevin Gandjeto added 20 points and seven boards, and Johnnel Bauzon contributed 19 points and 17 rebounds.
CEU absorbed its second straight defeat for 2-2 with only six players seeing action as the rest of the crew are campaigning in the semifinals of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup.
Bling Murillo drained six triples to finish with 27 points while Angel Escalona had 22, but the Scorpions still felt the lack of manpower in the second half. (Kristel Satumbaga)
