PBA IMAGES
Gamboa Coffee Mix-St. Clare continued to roll ahead of the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup playoffs, crushing AMA Online Education, 136-90, Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Chris Bitoon kickstarted the rout, firing 21 of his 31 points in the first quarter as the Coffee Lovers wiggled off from the Titans’ clutches to erect a 60-45 halftime lead which extended to as high as 49, 132-83 late in the game.
Trevis Jackson went one rebound shy of a triple-double with his 26 markers, 10 assists, and nine boards, while Aris Dionisio got 13 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks in the win.
Finishing the eliminations at 7-4, Gamboa-St. Clare claimed the five-seed to set up a quarterfinals date against fourth-ranked Che’Lu-San Sebastian on Tuesday, where the Revellers enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage.
“This is good for us,” remarked coach Jinino Manasala as he takes a two-game winning streak heading to the playoffs. “We’re ready because we know how tough our opponents will be.”
It was a complete domination on the side of the Coffee Lovers, who went 49-percent from the field and controled the boards, 63-49. They also turned the Titans’ 19 turnovers to 29 easy points.
Kent Lao carried AMA with 26 points, two rebounds, and two assists, while Andre Paras got a double-double with his 17 markers and 13 boards.
The Titans closed their campaign in the first conference on a seven-game losing slump to end up at the cellar at 1-10.
The Scores:
GAMBOA COFFEE MIX-ST. CLARE 136 — Bitoon 31, Jackson 26, Dionisio 13, Catura 11, Rubio 13, Hallare 9, Decano 8, Penaredondo 8, Jumaquio 6, Pare 5, Alcober 4, Fontanilla 4.
AMA ONLINE EDUCATION 90 — Lao 21, Paras 17, J. Escalambre 13, C. Escalambre 11, Quijano 9, Velasquez 6, Antonares 5, Carpio 4, Andaya 2, Garcia 2.
Quarters: 25-27, 60-45, 97-70, 136-90.