Games Tuesday (JCSGO Gym, Cubao)
1 p.m. - St. Clare College Virtual Reality vs Petron-Letran
3 p.m. - Wangs Basketball vs Chadao-FEU
Batangas-EAC stayed in the running for the 2019 PBA D-League playoffs, escaping Family Mart-Enderun, 91-90, Monday at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
Chris dela Pena scored the game-winning layup with 13.8 ticks left as the Generals thwarted Valandre Chauca's alley-oop pass to Joseph Kouakou late to come away with the victory.
Dela Pena finished with 12 points and three rebounds as Batangas-EAC snapped its four-game losing skid to improve to 2-5 in the Aspirants Group.
Chris dela Pena puts up a shot against Mark Gatdula (PBA Images)
"Last time, I told them that we should learn how to win," said coach Oliver Bunyi, looking back on the Generals' 122-119 double-overtime loss to AMA Online Education last week.
"This game, the effort was there and I'm very proud of them na kahit paano yung instructions, nasunod naman."
Earvin Mendoza topscored for Batangas-EAC with 18 points, four rebounds, and two assists, Marwin Taywan chipped in 14 points, five assists, and four boards, and Allan Martin got 10.
It was a tough defeat for the winless Family Mart-Enderun as it got dealt with its sixth defeat in as many outings.
In the other match, SMDC-NU broke through with a 32-point beatdown of CD14 Designs-Trinity, 107-75.
John Lloyd Clemente triggered the Bulldogs' 29-11 start as he scored 12 in the first half to finish with 18 points and three rebounds.
Dave Ildefonso joined in the party for SMDC-NU with 10 of his 18 points coming in the third frame, alongside his seven rebounds, as brother Shaun squeezed in 17 points and nine boards.
It was the Bulldogs' first win in six tries and kept them in the running for the top four in the Foundation Group.
And that just brings a smile to coach Jamike Jarin's face.
"In the first three games, rather than developing, we're more regressing. But we got ourselves together in the past games and you could see the talent and the upside of this team. Hopefully by us joining the D-League, it will be beneficial for us in the long run," he said.
John Galinato collected 10 points, while Senegalese center Issa Gaye wielded eight points, eight rebounds, and three blocks for SMDC-NU, which enjoyed a lead as big as 35 numerous times in the fourth period.
Kimley Medina led the White Stallions with 16 points and four rebounds, as Michael Canete got 14 points, seven boards, and seven blocks in the defeat.
The loss took CD14 Designs-Trinity (0-6) out of the race for the top four spots in its group.
The Scores:
First game:
BATANGAS-EAC 91 -- E. Mendoza 18, Taywan 14, Dela Pena 12, Martin 10, Tampoc 9, De Joya 6, Carlos 5, J. Mendoza 5, Gonzales 4, Corilla 3, Neri 2, De Guzman 2, Fuentes 1, Boffa 0.
FAMILY MART-ENDERUN 90 -- Chauca 30, Kouakou 20, Gotladera 10, Hayes 9, Vidal 7, Escoto 5, Tancioco 3, Dela Cruz 3, Dungan 2, Nunez 1, Gatdula 0.
Quarters: 25-12, 42-32, 64-68, 91-90.
Second game:
SMDC-NU 107 -- Clemente 18, D. Ildefonso 18, S. Ildefonso 17, Galinato 10, Gaye 8, Chatman 7, Minerva 6, Oczon 4, Diputado 4, Gallego 4, Salim 4, Rangel 3, Sistoza 2, Mangayao 2, Sinclair 0.
CD14 DESIGNS-TRINITY 75 -- Medina 16, Canete 14, Balucanag 9, Vitug 7, Reyes 6, Montero 5, Juanico 5, Nidoy 5, Dela Cruz 3, Tayongtong 3, Albarico 2, Ingel 0, Juico 0.
Quarters: 27-11, 58-37, 80-59, 107-75.