Padilla 3-pointer helps Tigers clinch D-League playoff spot

Alvin Padilla buried a timely three-pointer in the last 83 seconds of the contest to help Junior Powerade secure a 77-65 win against Café France in a knockout game on Tuesday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the San Juan Gym. The win gave the Powerade Tigers a spot in the first round of the knockout playoffs where they fill face Group A third-placer Blackwater on Thursday. With Powerade's shot clock winding down and Café France trailing by just four points, 67-63, Padilla threw a double-pump three-pointer that hit the glass and went in as the buzzer sounded with one minute and 23 seconds left in the game. "Sometimes, you have to be lucky than good," said Junior Powerade coach Ricky Dandan, who won his second straight game behind a lucky shot. UP defeated University of the East last Saturday, 78-76, behind Alinko Mbah's no-look shot. Padilla's three-pointer took the fight out of Café France’s hearts as the Scorpions failed to put up a good offensive play after that. Padilla led the Tigers with 14 points while John Smith and Mark Jeffries added 11 and 10 markers each. "I wasn't thinking about the first round (playoffs) because we are so focused with this game," said Dandan. The Tigers also avenged their loss to the Scorpions in the classification phase of the tournament that forced a tie for last place. Both teams finished with a 1-5 record entering their knockout game for the last playoff berth in Group B. Padilla's first three-pointer gave Powerade a comfortable 67-55 lead with 4:41 left in the game clock. Mon Mabayo and JR Bulangis teamed up to pull the Scorpions back in the game but Café France sputtered down the stretch. "That really shows the immaturity of our team. The team is built around the core of University of the Philippines and we need more maturity in our game since we are preparing for the UAAP," said Dandan. Mabayo led all scorers with 19 points and 11 rebounds but had to sit out most of the fourth quarter due to five fouls. He fouled out with less than 30 seconds left in the game. – Reuben Terrado, JVP, GMA News