Wang's-Letran holds off Go for Gold-CSB to stay in playoff race

Bong Quinto led the way once more for the Couriers. PBA Media Bureau

By Dugout Philippines

QUEZON CITY--Wang's Basketball-Letran held off Go for Gold, 91-88, on Monday to stay in contention for a playoff berth in the PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup at the JCSGO Gym.

Bong Quinto tallied 17 points and Rey Publico added 14 in a game that featured 31 lead changes and nine deadlocks.

Quinto also had nine rebounds and five assists for the Couriers, who led by as many as 15 points in the fourth quarter.

The Scratchers pushed Wang's Basketball-Letran to its limits but didn't have the knockout punch to take fight away from the more determined Couriers.

Coach Jeff Napa was far from impressed though.

"Ang dami naming tinapon na crucial possessions. Luckily, nag-prevail pa rin yung early in the third quarterdefense namin sa dulo," Noted Napa.

Yankie Haruna tied the count for the last time at 62-all late in the third quarter before Larry Muyang, Christian Fajarito and Jerrick Balanza completed a 6-0 run to give Wang's Basketball-Letran a 68-62 lead entering the fourth.

The Couriers extended the margin to 79-64 on a 11-2 blast and the Scratchers spend the remainder of the fourth playing catch-up.

Haruna scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds while the debuting Paul Desiderio had 15 for Go for Gold, which fell to 4-5 record.

The Scores:

WANG'S BASKETBALL-LETRAN 91 -- Quinto 17, Publico 14, Batiller 12, Mandreza 10, Fajarito 8, Muyang 8, Ambohot 7, Balanza 7, Calvo 6, Taladua 2, Yu 0.

GO FOR GOLD 88 -- Haruna 20, Desiderio 15, Alejandro 13, Gutang 13, Dixon 8, Leutcheu 8, Naboa 5, Pasturan 3, Salem 3, Gaco 0.

Quarters: 20-18, 43-48, 68-62, 91-88.

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