UNIVERSITY of the Philippines-QRS/Jam Liner pounced on Wangs Basketball’s porous interior defense to roll to an 80-69 victory and stay in the running for a top four berth at the elimination round of the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup on Thursday at the Ynares Arena.
Former pros Raul Soyud and Raymond Aguilar frolicked in the paint to post double-doubles, with Soyud tallying 21 points and 10 boards and Aguilar adding 16 markers and 18 caroms to lead the Maroons, who hiked their win-loss record to 4-3 to keep a firm grip on fifth spot.
"Like everybody says, you take it one game at a time and control our own destiny,” team consultant Joe Ward said. “If we win our next game, hopefully, we'll still be in the top four.”
A top four finish has a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.
The Maroons also compounded the misery of the Couriers, who absorbed a sixth loss in seven outings to get stuck at the bottom of the nine-team standings.
James Mangahas tallied 16 points and six boards, while Gwayne Capacio chipped in 14 points and seven rebounds for Wangs in a losing effort.
The scores:
UP QRS/ JAM LINER 80 - Soyud 21, Aguilar 16, Alolino 13, Baloria 10, Ferrer 10, Lim 8, Sorela 2, Batino 0, Dario 0, Neypes 0
WANGS 69 – Mangahas 17, Capacio 14, Bautista 10, Ilad 7, Ragasa 7, Jo. Montemayor 4, Publico 4, Acosta 2, Romero 2, Tayongtong 2, Cabahug 0, Tumalip 0
Quarterscores: 16-16, 39-33, 62-52, 80-69
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