Go for Gold-Benilde forces decider against CEU in the quarters

By Adrian Stewart Co

Gabriel Banal scored a game-winning triple as the Go for Gold Scratchers-Benilde Blazers cruised to an 84-81 win last Tuesday over the CEU Scorpions in the 2019 PBA D-League quarterfinals at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. The two teams play a decider tonight.
The Scratchers started flat but later went on to seize the advantage in the second and third period, reaching their largest lead of 20 points. However, CEU mounted a huge run in the fourth to tie the count at 81-all. Banal then broke the deadlock on a top-of-the-arc triple with 17.5 seconds left before the Scratchers’ Jimboy Pasturan forced a stop on Scorpions’ Keanu Caballero.
“I’m happy that we’re still alive,” said Scratchers head coach Charles Tiu. “We probably [deserved] to lose that game—we were up big and [it] seems like we never learn.”
Banal finished with 12 points, six assists, and five rebounds; Roosevelt Adams added a double-double with 26 points and 13 rebounds; and Leonard Santillan offered up 15 points and six rebounds.
In the other game, St. Clare Saints-Virtual Reality advanced to the semifinals following their 65-60 upset win over the Metropac Movers-San Beda Red Lions./ASC, WDJ