Revellers outgun Coffee Lovers, extend run

MANILA, Philippines — Che’Lu Bar and Grill-San Sebastian warded off Gamboa Coffee Mix-St. Clare’s fightback in the stretch and hacked out a 79-73 victory to extend its win run to four in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Pasig City Sports Center yesterday.

Samboy de Leon made up for two earlier flubbed free throws with four charities in the final 15.2 seconds, helping the Revellers stave off the Coffee Lovers’ late 16-4 run to hike their card to 6-3.

Che’Lu Bar missed the services of injured Michael Calisaan but drew solid games from RK Ilagan (17 points), Jeepy Faundo (11 points and 11 rebounds), Alfred Batino (10 points) and De Leon (nine points and nine. rebounds) to sustain their win run.

Calisaan fractured his left elbow in the Revellers previous match against Zarks Burgers-Lyceum.

“Che’Lu is not just about Michael. Anybody can step up. It’s a total team effort,” said Che’Lu Bar and Grill-SSC mentor Stevenson Tiu.

The Revellers posted a 71-57 bulge on a Batino jumper with 3:30 left in the match but Mohammed Pare sparked a big 16-4 windup that proved short for the Coffee Lovers.

Trevis Jackson fired two triples while Aris Dionisio scored on layups in that stretch as Gamboa Coffee pulled to within, 73-75, with 23 seconds to go.

But De Leon settled down from the line in time, drilling four straight to secure the victory for Che’Lu Bar.

Meanwhile, Marinerong Pilipino put on a late charge to turn back Go for Gold, 86-80, to likewise nail its fourth straight victory for a share of second spot with Akari-AdU.

Billy Robles, Renzo Subido and Gab Banal starred for the Skippers in the fourth, combining for a decisive 17-6 run before Robles and Subido hit clutch baskets to give the Skippers a 5-2 slate.

“We could not get our rhythm in the first half, but I’m happy we stepped up on defense,” said Marinerong Pilipino coach Koy Banal as his charges wiped out a 62-66 deficit at the start of the fourth and gained a 79-72 edge with 3:23 to go.

The scores:

First Game

Che’lu Bar and Grill-San Sebastian 79 — Ilagan 17, Faundo 11, Batino 10, De Leon 9, Bulanadi 7, Collado 6, Jeruta 5, Siruma 5, Santos 4, Capobres 3, Costelo 2, David 0, Lao 0.

Gamboa coffee mix-St. Clare 73 — Jackson 19, Hallare 16, Dionisio 14, Pare 8, Ambuludto 4, Rubio 4, Bitoon 3, Rebugio 3, Fontanilla 2, Acuno 0, Alcober 0.

Quarterscores: 18-16, 31-31, 55-46, 79-73

Second Game

Marinerong Pilipino 86 — Robles 18, Subido 16, Pasaol 13, Banal 12, Ayonayon 9, Toth 6, Tratter 5, Babilonia 2, Lopez 2, Tolentino 2, Terso 1, Iñigo 0.

Go for Gold 80 — Gaco 16, Salem 14, Alejandro 11, Gutang 9, Naboa 8, Dixon 7, Haruna 7, Casiño 4, Leutcheu 2, Pili 2, Domingo 0.

Quarterscores: 22-20, 37-43, 62-66, 86-80