Jawbreakers force ‘rubber’ vs Revellers

Game on Tuesday

4 p.m. – Zark’s Burgers vs Che’Lu Bar

MANILA, Philippines — Zark’s Burgers-Lyceum withstood a late charge by Che’Lu Bar and Grill-San Sebastian and pulled off a 98-90 victory to force a sudden death for the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup crown at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig last night.

The Jawbreakers took control right at the onset of the contest and sat on a 22-point cushion in the third period but needed to buckle down on defense in the final minute to frustrate the Revellers and stay in the hunt for the crown.

Jayvee Marcelino drained two free throws with 5.4 seconds left to seal the match for the Jawbreakers after nearly blowing a 65-43 bulge.

Zark’s Burgers-LPU thus avenged its 103-107 Game One loss last Tuesday and forced a deciding Game Three on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the same venue.

“We just have to battle our way,” said Jawbreakers coach Topex Robinson.

“We reminded them that this is the finals already. We have to bring our defensive mindset coming to this game because we lost that last game,” he added.

Jaycee Marcelino presided over their sizzling 21-8 start then Spencer Pretta, Wilson Baltazar and CJ Perez found their range from three-point area in the second period to put the Jawbreakers way ahead at 54-34 at the break.

Though the Jawbreakers sustained their pace in the third, the Revellers rallied in the fourth with Allyn Bulanadi spearheading their charge although the latter could only come close at 84-91 with 1:08 to go.

CJ Perez, who incurred two quick fouls in the first two minutes after receiving his Conference Most Valuable Player plum, topscored with 15 points he spiked with seven rebounds and four assists, Jaycee Marcelino added 13, Mike Nzeusseu and Jesper Ayaay each scored 11 while Wilson Baltazar dropped 10 markers.

Bulanadi poured 11 points in the fourth and finished with a game-high 23 points, RK Ilagan wound up with 13, Jayson David and Alfred Batino came through with 12 apiece, Ryan Costelo had 11 while Mike Calisaan and Samboy de Leon struggled with seven and five points, respectively, for the Revellers who never led in the match.

The scores:

ZARK’S BURGER-LYCEUM 98 — Perez 15, Jc. Marcelino 13, Ayaay 11, Nzeusseu 11, Baltazar 10, Yong 9, Pretta 8, Ibañez 7, Caduyac 6, Jv. Marcelino 6, Tansingco 2, Serrano 0.

CHE’LU BAR AND GRILL-SAN SEBASTIAN 90 — Bulanadi 23, Ilagan 13, Batino 12, David 12, Costelo 11, Calisaan 7, De Leon 5, Ablaza 4, Siruma 3, Capobres 0, Collado 0, Faundo 0, Taganas 0.

Quarterscores: 27-16, 54-34, 75-56, 98-90