Go for Gold halts CEU’s 3-game run

MANILA, Philippines — Go for Gold sustained its hot three-point shooting in overtime as the Scratchers stopped the Centro Escolar U Scorpions’ win run with a 91-89 victory in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig yesterday.

Jjay Alejandro drained his second triple – and the Scratchers’ 15th overall – in extension as they wrested a three-point lead and held sway in a big bounce back from a blowout loss (65-87) to Che’Lu Bar and Grill.

“It’s definitely a big win,” said Go for Gold coach Charles Tiu. “CEU is probably the best team in the league while we’re a new team. I like the fact that we fought and won against them.”

Go for Gold hit six triples in the first period for a 27-17 lead but CEU fought back in the third and posted a 10-point lead of its own in the fourth.

The Scratchers, however, refused to give up. They fought back with JK Casiño’s triple with 50 seconds left in regulation and tied the count at 82 in regulation.

Art Aquino put CEU back on top from the line but Casiño eluded former teammate Orlan Wamar for a layup to force overtime.

Justin Gutang led Go for Gold with 20 points, Casiño poured in 15, Jimboy Pasturan added 14 and Alejandro had nine markers.

The victory also put to naught Congolese Rod Ebondo’s 34-point, 25-rebound performance for the Scorpions, who dropped to second at 3-1 behind new leader Akari-Adamson (4-1).

Earlier, Prince Eze came two blocks shy of notching a triple double as University of Perpetual Help drubbed Batangas-Emilio Aguinaldo College, 82-75, to bounce back into contention.

Eze went 10-of-16 from the field and four-of-six from the line for 24 points he spiked with 15 rebounds and eight blocks that more than made up for his four turnovers.

The Nigerian sustained a bruised rib in UPHSD’s previous outing against Go for Gold last Tuesday but hardly showed any sign of slowing down in his dominant showing against the Generals.