DILIMAN College-Gerry's Grill bucked a slow start to stun SMDC-NU, 82-70, in the 2019 PBA D-League Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Beninese slotman Kevin Gandjeto led the fightback from 12 points down as he finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks, while Marco Balagtas got 14 points and seven boards for the Blue Dragons.
But it was Joseph Brutas who gave Diliman-Gerry's the buffer it needed, drilling three straight triples to turn a tight 67-63 affair midway in the fourth quarter to a 76-64 advantage en route to its second win in four tries.
"I know Brutas for three years now. He's a young player pero kilala ko yung puso ng batang yan," said coach Rensy Bajar as Brutas had 13 points, going 3-of-6 from threes, on top of five rebounds and two assists.
The Blue Dragons improved to 2-2 in the Foundation Group and kept the Bulldogs winless after four outings.
John Lloyd Clemente powered SMDC-NU with 22 points off the bench, while also grabbing six boards.
John Galinato contributed 16 points and two rebounds, as Issa Gaye had 10 points and 15 rebounds in the loss.
The scores:
Diliman Gerry’s 82 - Gandjeto 16, Balagtas 14, Mahari 13, Brutas 13, Torrado 8, Bonsubre 5, Bauzon 5, Cabanag 6, Brill 2, Darang 0, Enriquez 0, Sombero 0.
SMDC-NU 70 -- Clemente 22, Galinato 16, Gaye 10, Sistoza 8, D. Ildefonso 6, Gallego 3, Mangayao 3, Diputado 2, Rangel 0, Yu 0, Sinclair 0, S. Ildefonso 0.
Quarterscores: 20-25; 36-43; 60-56; 82-70.
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