JERON TENG had a near-perfect send-off, going three assists shy of a triple-double as AMA Online Education turned back Victoria Sports-Manuel L. Quezon Universirty, 88-80, on Monday in the Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League Aspirants’ Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The former La Salle ace carried his side with 18 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, as the Titans bagged their fourth win in six games.
Juami Tiongson also made his mark, taking over in the fourth period, where he unloaded 14 of his 22 points while also hauling down four boards.
It wasn’t an easy win, though, for AMA as it lost a 20-point advantage, 57-37, in the third frame and saw it cut down to as low as six, 86-80, with 20.3 seconds left.
Tiongson, however, made the game-clinching free throws.
“We didn’t totally depend on Jeron. We had Juami and PJ Barua who also contributed,” AMA Coach Mark Herrera said.
AMA’s resolve will be tested next week when it plays Blustar Detergent without Teng, who will be with Mighty Sports for a week in a Dubai tournament.
Robbie Herndon topped winless Victoria (0-4) with 24 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, while Aris Dionisio had 23 points, 17 boards and three blocks.
Cignal-San Beda stamped its class anew and routed Batangas, 95-68, for its third straight victory.
Robert Bolick and Byron Villarias tore the Batangueños to shreds in the second quarter, teaming up for 16 of the Hawkeyes’ 31 points in the frame to pull away at halftime, 56-34. They extended the lead to 27 points, 71-44, as Cignal joined a three-way logjam at second place with Tanduay and CaféFrance on a 3-1 record.