FAMILY Mart-Enderun scored a huge 81-74 upset to end its 2019 PBA D-League campaign, eliminating Ironcon-UST on Thursday at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
The Titans almost squandered a 19-point third quarter lead as the Growling Tigers got to within four, 72-68, with 4:57 remaining.
But Family Mart-Enderun went to its starters as it staged an 8-0 run to restore order and grab an 80-68 lead after a Marvin Hayes drive in the final 1:09.
Valandre Chauca paced the Titans with 31 points, going 5 for 9 from the 3-point line, on top of five rebounds and two assists.
Hayes had 18 points, 12 boards and seven assists as Family Mart-Enderun ended its maiden foray in the developmental league with a 2-7 card in the Aspirants Group.
"They want to prove something and they accepted their roles for the good of the team," said coach Pipo Noundou.
The wild outcome handed St. Clare College Virtual Reality the No. 2 seed in the group which comes with a twice-to-beat advantage, while also clinching Che'Lu Bar and Grill the No. 4 seed in the Aspirants Group heading into the crossover quarterfinals.
Ironcon-UST, meanwhile, sunk to sixth place with its 6-3 card due to an inferior quotient in the five-way tie.
Beninese forward Soulemane Chabi Yo led the Growling Tigers with 25 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks, as Mark Nonoy had 18 points, four assists and three boards.
The scores:
Family Mart-Enderun 81 - Chauca 31, Hayes 18, Gotladera 6, Kouakou 6, Vidal 6, Dela Cruz 6, Nunez 3, Gatdula 3, Dungan 2, Escoto 0, Mariano 0, Sacundo 0, Veloso 0.
Ironcon-UST 74 - Chabi Yo 25, Nonoy 18, Abando 9, Asuncio 6, Concepcion 6, Bataller 6, Paraiso 4, Ando 0, Marcos 0, Yongco 0.
Quarterscores: 25-11; 46-34; 70-56; 81-74.
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