St. Clare’s John Edcel Rojas. –PBA D.League
MANILA, Philippines–The Adalem Construction-St. Clare finished its PBA D-League Aspirant’s Cup elimination round with an upset win over the top-seeded Apex Fuel-San Sebastian Stags, 80-66, Tuesday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
St. Clare was just by one at the half, 36-35, before outscoring the Stags, 24-16, in the third quarter to put them up by nine, 60-51.
The Saints prevented a San Sebastian comeback in the payoff period with a 17-9 run to gain their biggest lead, 77-61.
“We know we have to go all out and this time and we got it. Now we got to good standing with a twice-to-beat advantage,” St. Clare head coach Jinino Manansala said in the post-game.
The No. 1 Stags have already secured a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals after clinching the top seed with a 5-2 win-loss record.
John Edcel Rojas (20), Johnsherick Estrada (19), and Joshua Fontanilla (14) combined for 53 points for St. Clare.
San Sebastian Romel Calahat spearheaded the Stags’ effort with 19 points while Jessie Sumoda scattered 14.