St. Clare eliminates UST, clinches PBA D-League semis berth

Adalem Construction-St.Clare survived a late-game rally from Builders Warehouse-UST in Game 2 of their quarterfinal encounter, 90-87, to barge into the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup semifinals on Wednesday.

With the scores tied at 59 at the opening of fourth quarter, St. Clare unleashed a furious 29-17 run that saw their lead balloon to 12, 88-76, with about two minutes left in the clash.

But the Growling Tigers pumped life back to their campaign, cutting the deficit to just five, 90-85, following a quick 9-2 rampage.

Incoming rookie Kean Baclaan then converted to make it a one-possession ballgame and he could have tied things up but he missed out on his last triple attempt as time ran out for UST.

Johnsherick Estrada led St. Clare with 20 points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal as they arranged a semifinals duel with EcoOil-DLSU starting this Friday.

Jolo Sumagaysay chipped in 14 markers while Joshua Fontanilla, Gab Gamboa, and John Edcel Rojas chimed in with 12 points each.

The Scores:
ADALEM-ST. CLARE 90 -- Estrada 20, Sumagaysay 14, Fontanilla 12, Gamboa 12, Rojas 12, Ndong 10, Lopez 6, Sablan 4, Estacio 0.

BUILDERS WAREHOUSE-UST 87 -- Cabanero 19, Baclaan 17, Concepcion 15, M. Pangilinan 13, Santos 12, Mantua 5, Manalang 4, Manaytay 2, Crisostomo 0, Herrera 0.

Quarters: 24-14, 37-35, 59-57, 90-87.

—JMB, GMA News