MANILA – Che’Lu-San Sebastian Revellers turned to its veteran players to score a 107-103 win over Zark’s-Lyceum Jawbreakers in Game 1 of the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Pasig Sports Center.
With the score tied at 101-all at over a minute left on Tuesday night, Samboy de Leon surged the Revellers ahead with a triple.
After a basket by the Jawbreakers to cut the deficit to 103-104, Michael Calisaan increased the Revellers’ lead with an inside hit.
The Jawbreakers still had a chance to tie but Mer Ayaay and Spencer Pretta missed their three-point tries, as Allyn Bulanadi iced the game for the Revellers with a split from the free throw line.
De Leon finished the match with 18 points, including 4-of-5 shooting from the three-point line.
Calisaan chipped in with double-double 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Revellers.
Alfred Batino also contributed double-double 17 markers and 10 boards for the Revellers, which can clinch the championship if it will repeat over the Jawbreakers in Game 2 tonight.
“Both teams deserved to win pero ‘yung end game napaganda lang ang defense namin. Good comeback for our team,” said Revellers head coach Stevenson Tiu.
Jaycee Marcelino top-scored with 23 points, eight rebounds, four steals and three assists while Mike Nzeusseu added double-double 19 markers and 11 boards for the Jawbreakers.
Leading Most Valuable Player candidate Jaymar Perez was shut down by the Revellers defense, going only 3-of-11 from the field to wind up with eight points, seven rebounds, and seven assists./PN
