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| Jeric Teng dropped 35 points on the Bandera, including clutch baskets in the final minute. MPBL |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA—Pasig's hopes of sealing a spot in the MPBL Playoffs got a crucial boost on Thursday night with a 93-88 win over also-ran Imus at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.
The Realtors outscored the Bandera, 21-8, in the second quarter to open a 56-35 lead at halftime. They even led by 25, 76-51, late in the third quarter.
Imus rallied back and was just within three, 88-91, with 11 seconds left in the fourth quarter, but Jeric Teng, who had scored crucial baskets within the final minute to keep the team at bay, made two dagger free throws for Pasig to finally lock up the win.
"From first to third quarters, napakaganda na nang itinatakbo namin. Pagdating ng fourth quarter, nag collapse na naman kami sa depensa. Good thing nanalo pa rin kami. We will take this kaysa matalo," said Coach Bong Dela Cruz, whose Realtors side snapped a three-game slide that brought them down to seventh place in the Northern Division.
Teng finished with a career-high 35 points on 7-for-11 shooting from beyond the arc, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal for Pasig, which moved to within a game from Bataan for the sixth seed.
Josan Nimes added 23 points on 9-for-12 shooting, six rebounds, four assists, and one steal off the bench.
Jojo Cunanan led Imus, which fell to 6-22, with 19 markers, four rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
Jeric Nacpil added 17 points, 11 boards, two dimes, and two steals, while Jayjay Helterbrand put up 15 points, five caroms, 11 dimes, and one steal.
The Scores:
Pasig-Sta. Lucia 93 - Teng 35, Nimes 23, Manalang 13, Mendoza 8, Gotladera 5, Najorda 3, Medina 2, Tamayo 2, Velchez 2, Grealy 0, Chavenia 0.
Imus-Luxxe Slim 88 - Cunanan 19, Nacpil 17, Helterbrand 15, Cantimbuhan 9, Vito 8, Munsayac 6, Ng Sang 6, Deles 4, Morales 4, Dedicatoria 0, Ong 0, Arellano 0.
Quarterscores: 35-27, 56-35, 76-57. 93-88.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
Teng finished with a career-high 35 points on 7-for-11 shooting from beyond the arc, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal for Pasig, which moved to within a game from Bataan for the sixth seed.
Josan Nimes added 23 points on 9-for-12 shooting, six rebounds, four assists, and one steal off the bench.
Jojo Cunanan led Imus, which fell to 6-22, with 19 markers, four rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
Jeric Nacpil added 17 points, 11 boards, two dimes, and two steals, while Jayjay Helterbrand put up 15 points, five caroms, 11 dimes, and one steal.
The Scores:
Pasig-Sta. Lucia 93 - Teng 35, Nimes 23, Manalang 13, Mendoza 8, Gotladera 5, Najorda 3, Medina 2, Tamayo 2, Velchez 2, Grealy 0, Chavenia 0.
Imus-Luxxe Slim 88 - Cunanan 19, Nacpil 17, Helterbrand 15, Cantimbuhan 9, Vito 8, Munsayac 6, Ng Sang 6, Deles 4, Morales 4, Dedicatoria 0, Ong 0, Arellano 0.
Quarterscores: 35-27, 56-35, 76-57. 93-88.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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