Go for Gold ends D-League stint on a high, dismantles AMA

PBA IMAGES

Go for Gold finished off its maiden campaign in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup on a winning note, blasting AMA Online Education, 122-82, Monday at Pasig Sports Center.

It was a complete annihilation on the part of the Scratchers, who came hot off the gates with a 19-4 opener and extended the lead to as high as 47, 122-75, with a Carlo Young triple late in the game.

Go for Gold scorched hot from downtown with 20-of-50 clip as it finished its D-League run with a 5-6 record.

Matt Salem pumped 18 points from four treys, to go with 10 rebounds and two assists, while Jimboy Pasturan also got 18 markers from his 4-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc,

Paul Desiderio also went 3-of-9 from three as he flirted with a triple-double in tune of 16 markers, eight assists, and seven rebounds, while Young drained five treys to get to 15 markers.

Despite missing the playoffs, Go for Gold coach Charles Tiu still considers the stint as a mission accomplished for the development of his young St. Benilde core.

“We’re still a young team and we lost a lot of close games. I felt that even with that, we could have made the playoffs. But at least, we’re happy with how we ended our campaign,” he said.

Carlo Escalambre topped AMA (1-9) with 24 points and nine rebounds, but shot 4-of-16 from rainbow country. Kyles Lao added 17 markers, five boards, and four assists in the defeat.

The Scores:

GO FOR GOLD 122 — Pasturan 18, Salem 18, Desiderio 16, Young 15, Haruna 14, Ocampo 13, Dixon 8, Gaco 7, Naboa 6, Pili 3, Domingo 2, Gutang 2.

AMA ONLINE EDUCATION 82 — C. Escalambre 24, Lao 17, Velasquez 14, Martinez 8, Antonares 6, J. Escalambre 6, Quijano 4, Garcia 3.

Quarters: 31-13, 62-44, 93-59, 122-82.