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| L-Jay Gonzales displayed a great all-around game for the Tamaraws. PBA Media Group |
By Dugout Philippines
QUEZON CITY—Chadao-FEU booked the last Foundation Group ticket to the 2019 PBA D-League playoffs, outlasting Centro Escolar University, 74-69, Thursday at JCSGO Gym.
"Our goal is to make it to the playoffs and nakuha na namin ang first goal namin," said coach Olsen Racela.
The Tamaraws leaned on L-Jay Gonzales, who collected 15 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals to lead his side to the victory and end the eliminations on a four-game win streak.
Wendell Comboy added 13 points, four boards, two assists, and two steals, while Joseph Nunag got 12 points, three rebounds, and two assists in the win.
Chadao-FEU wound up with a 6-3 card, eliminating Marinerong Pilipino (5-4) in the process.
The Tamaraws now brace for Aspirants Group top seed Cignal-Ateneo (8-1), who owns a twice-to-beat advantage, in the crossover quarters set on Monday.
Chadao-FEU squandered a 69-58 lead within the last five minutes as Judel Fuentes and Maodo Malick Diouf rallied CEU back to knot the score at 69 in the last 2:08.
Branrey Bienes would answer back with a trey, Patrick Tchuente put the nail in the coffin with a putback slam to extend the lead to five.
Fuentes carried CEU (7-2) with 24 points and four rebounds, while Diouf registered a double-double with his 11 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.
The Scorpions still enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters, but their opponent still depends on the result of the Valencia City Bukidnon-SSCR versus Diliman College-Gerry's Grill game later.
The Scores:
CHADAO-FEU 74 -- Gonzales 15, Comboy 13, Nunag 12, Tchuente 9, Flores 8, Stockton 6, Bienes 5, Celzo 4, Tuffin 2, Mantua 0.
CEU 69 -- Fuentes 24, Diouf 11, Rojas 10, Formento 6, Chan 6, Lisbo 5, Ke. Caballero 4, Uri 3, Sunga 0, Diaz 0, Abastillas 0, Santos 0, Intic 0.
Quarters: 13-20, 41-41, 60-56, 74-69.
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