BRANREY Bienes picked the right time to wax hot as Far Eastern University gutted out a tough 88-81 victory over Diliman College-Gerry's Grill Tuesday in the 2019 PBA D-League at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
The senior forward unleashed nine of his 25 points in the fourth frame, to go with six rebounds as the Tamaraws closed in on the final playoff ticket in the Foundation Group.
Wendel Comboy also had the hot hands late, uncorking 10 points of his 19 in the payoff period, including the back-to-back threes that gave FEU a 79-70 lead with 4:12 left to play.
"We treated this really as a knockout game, so parang knockout na talaga ito para sa amin," said coach Olsen Racela.
Ken Tuffin added 11 points and five rebounds, as Cameroonian center Patrick Tchuente just missed out on a double-double with his nine points and nine boards.
The win allowed the Tamaraws to gain closer of clinching a playoff berth with their third straight win to improve to 5-3, as it needs Metropac-San Beda to beat Marinerong Pilipino to formally clinch the seat.
The Blue Dragons sunk down to a 4-4 standing.
Beninese big man Kevin Gandjeto led Diliman-Gerry's with 22 points and 11 rebounds, as John Mahari had 21 and five in the defeat.
The scores:
FEU 88 -- Bienes 25, Comboy 19, Tuffin 11, Tchuente 9, Gonzales 8, Flores 4, Ebona 4, Bayquin 4, Stockton 2, Cani 2, Nunag 0, Celzo 0, Senining 0.
DILIMAN-GERRY'S 81 -- Gandjeto 22, Mahari 21, Darang 13, Brutas 9, Bauzon 8, Balagtas 4, Sombero 3, Torrado 1, Enriquez 0, Tay 0.
Quarters: 18-21, 40-40, 61-56, 88-81.
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