TECHNOLOGICAL Institute of the Philippines clinched a top two finish in Group B with a 105-95 win over Alberei Monday in the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Papa Ndiaye came back with a vengeance for the Engineers, puncturing 37 points, 18 rebounds, and four assists in his first game back from a hamstring injury.
His efforts were enough as TIP locked up a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals with its 5-1 slate.
Bryan Santos got himself a double-double with 28 points, 11 boards, two assists, and two steals, while Ximone Sandagon recorded 12 points and four rebounds.
TIP coach Potit de Vera's expressed his disappointment after the game after his Chargers allowed an 18-point fourth quarter lead to dissipate. Alberei pulled within, 101-95, with 37 seconds left.
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"I'm not happy with today's ball game," he lamented. "I don't want to go to the playoffs with the thinking that our players are good enough."
The Engineers only got relief with Sandagon's putback dunk and Ndiaye's late layup iced the game for good.
"We always have to go all out and I just want to keep on doing that," said de Vera, obviously disappointed with how his crew wasted their 37-point third quarter that flipped a 49-44 halftime lead to a commanding 86-71 edge.
Jonathan Parreno and Jomari Lacastesantos poured 20 points apiece for the hard-luck Kings, which stayed winless through four outings.
The Scores:
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TIP 105 -- Ndiaye 37, B. Santos 28, Sandagon 12, Daguro 8, Tan 5, Calara 5, I. Santos 4, Carurucan 3, Pinca 3, Ramilo 0, Ang 0, Pasamante 0, Navarro 0.
ALBEREI 95 -- Parreno 20, Lacastesantos 20, Rebollos 17, Tano 11, Velasquez 6, Abad 5, Tomilloso 5, Palattao 4, Yasa 3, Diaz 2, Saldana 2, Perlas 0.
Quarters: 25-24, 49-44, 86-71, 105-95.
