CIGNAL-San Beda held off Racal, 96-86, on Monday in the PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
Jason Perkins had 24 points, seven rebounds, and four assists as the Hawkeyes rolled to their eighth straight victory to clinch the top spot with an 8-1 record.
Racal reeled to a 7-2 card.
Jayvee Mocon chipped in 18 points including eight in the fourth quarter.
The Hawkeyes used a 10-2 run to open the payoff period for a 87-76 lead.
Robert Bolick hit a dagger of a triple that made it 94-82 with under two minutes left.
"We really wanted to bring the positive attitude to the semifinals," said Cignal coach Boyet Fernandez, had earlier gained an outright semifinal berth along with Racal.
"We really wanted to win even though it's a no-bearing game."
Jackson Corpuz paced the Tile Masters with 20 points, while Kent Salado added 18 markers.
The scores:
Cignal 96 - Perkins 25, Mocon 18, Raymundo 10, Bolick 9, Cahilig 8, Potts 6, Tongco 6, Villarias 4, Oftana 3, Arboleda 2, Arong 2, Batino 2, Adamos 1, Bringas 0.
Racal 86 - Corpuz 20, Salado 18, Dagangon 9, Gabawan 8, Onwubere 7, Mangahas 6, Gabayni 4, Terso 4, Cabrera 3, Flores 3, Gumaru 2, Nambatac 2, Capacio 0, Torres 0.
Quarterscores: 31-22; 53-54; 75-72; 96-86.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
