PBA D-League: Hapee survives AMA in nail-biter

Hapee fended off a pesky AMA University, 69-65, to record its second win in three games in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup Thursday afternoon at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Arvie Bringas used his girth to good use in the final moments as he secured Hapee’s place in the D-League’s upper echelon.

Bringas absorbed the contact and scored on a two-pointer to put Hapee up 67-63.

He missed the bonus free-throw but the Fresh Fighters grabbed the offensive rebound to take another possession.

Fresh Fighters head coach Ronnie Magsanoc said the addition of Bringas and Jovet Mendoza was a big help for them in relieving the pressure off Troy Rosario in the post.

“Arvie and Jovet are a big help for us,” Magsanoc said. “Troy just gets banged up inside.”

AMA brushed off Chris Newsome’s dunk as it was just a middle piece for James Martinez and Dexter Maiquez’ three-pointers to put the Titans at 65-63 with 1:22 remaining in the game.

Bringas once again had a hand, literally, on the Hapee’s final play when he tapped an offensive rebound to Kirk Long who scored their final basket on a layup.

Rosario had a near double-double for Hapee as he finished with 18 points and nine boards while Newsome and Scottie Thompson combined for 23.