MANILA, Philippines – The Go For Gold Scratchers outclassed the Centro Escolar University Scorpions, 92-83, to stay unbeaten in 3 games in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup on Thursday, June 14, at the Ynares Sports Arena.
Gab Banal powered Go For Gold with a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds to go with 3 assists, 2 blocks, and a steal.
“We’re not at the level we’d like to reach yet,” said Go for Gold head coach Charles Tiu despite his team’s unbeaten start. “We still have a long way to go, [and] our goal is the championship.”
Vince Tolentino contributed 20 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists, while Jerwin Gaco and Jai Reyes scored 11 points apiece, with the latter also chipping in 5 assists.
Ron Dennison likewise delivered quality minutes to finish with 8 points after fueling a quick 6-0 run in the payoff period that helped the Scratchers build a 92-77 buffer.
Timely 3-pointers from Orlan Wamar Jr. saw CEU trim the gap to 6 points, 77-71, but the Scratchers arrested their comeback bid.
A Tolentino 3-pointer early in the second quarter gave the Scratchers a commanding 44-33 lead as the league leaders staged a frenzied 13-4 run that left the Scorpions playing catch-up for the remainder of the contest.
CEU notched its largest lead, 18-11, after a 10-0 spurt in the opening minutes of the game.
Wamar paced the Scorpions with 17 points, while Pierce Tyron Chan flirted with a double-double with 14 points and 9 rebounds.
The Scores:
GO FOR GOLD 92 — Banal 21, Tolentino 20, Gaco 11, Reyes 11, Dennison 8, Martinez 7, Salem 7, Desiderio 5, Porter 2, Capistrano 0, Pili 0, Wong 0.
CEU 83 — Wamar 17, Chan 14, Uri 11, Rojas 10, Guinitaran 9, Ko. Caballero 8, Formento 8, Ke. Caballero 4, Oloume 2, Fuentes 0, Intic 0.
Quarters: 31-29, 53-42, 75-63, 92-83.
– Franco Luna/Rappler.com
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