Stags gain second spot

San Sebastian even doubled the lead as Rafael Are and Jessie Sumoda spearheaded a 17-7 tear that extended their lead to 17, 51-34.

Apex Fuel- San Sebastian secured a share of the second spot following a 73-51 win over EcoOil-La Salle in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) D-League Aspirants’ Cup yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

In the second game, Adalem Construction-St. Clare boosted its playoff bid with a gritty 87-86 win over Builders Warehouse-UST.

Ichie Altamirano led the offense with 15 points, six assists and five rebounds to help the Stags tie with Marinerong Pilipino at second place on identical 3-1 cards.

Romel Calahat was also impressive as he posted 13 markers, seven boards and two dimes.

Pitted against a bigger Green Archers side, the veteran Calahat boosted the Stags’ early offense with 10 points to mount a 33-27 gap at the half.

San Sebastian even doubled the lead as Rafael Are and Jessie Sumoda spearheaded a 17-7 tear that extended their cushion to 17, 51-34, heading into the payoff period.

The Stags tightened their defensive screws down the stretch, limiting La Salle to only four points in the last four minutes while Altamirano drained back-to-back triples to make it a 26-point spread, 73-47, under 3:26 left.

Michael Phillips and Jan Macalalang had 11 apiece for the

Green Archers, who fell to 2-2 slate.

Johnsherick Estrada, meanwhile, delivered 13 of his 21 points in the payoff period for the Saints, while Joshua Fontanilla and John Rojas combined for 33 points.

“I expected UST to really play great basketball and that they will have a great game,” said Adalem mentor Jinino Manansala, who mentored the Growling Tigers in the previous season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

“But we looked for a go-to guy so that we can seal our win.”

The scores: First Game: ADALEM-ST. CLARE (87)

— Estrada 21, Fontanilla 17, Rojas 16, Ndong 8, Sablan 7, Estacio 6, Sumagaysay 5, Gamboa 4, Lopez 3, Tapenio 0, Manacho 0.

BUILDERS WAREHOUSE-UST (86) — Concepcion 19, Santos 17, Baclaan 14, Pangilinan 11, Stevens 7, Manalang 5, Mantua 5, Cabanero 4, Wilson 4, Escobido 0, Crisostomo 0, Canoy 0, Herrera 0.

QUARTERS: 16-21, 34-40, 59-60, 87-86.

Second Game: APEX FUEL-SAN SEBASTIAN (73)

— Altamirano 15, Calahat 13, Are 9, Escobido 9, Una 8, Shanoda 5, Villapondo 5, Sumoda 5, Yambing 2, Desoyo Jr. 2, Concha 0, Suico 0, Felebrico 0, Paglinawan 0,Ventura 0.

ECOOIL-LA SALLE (51) — M.Phillips 11, Macalalag 11, Cortez 6, Manuel 5, Nwankwo 5, Austria 5, Buensalida 4, Alao 3, Estacio 1, Abadam 0, Blanco 0, Escandor 0, Quiambao 0, Galman 0, B. Phillips 0.

QUARTERS: 24-13, 33-27, 53-38, 73-51.