MANILA--CEU staved off the absence of star big man Rod Ebondo due to pneumonia and a huge fourth quarter rally from Gamboa to win, 100-96, in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday.
The Scorpions dropped 38 points in the third quarter to turn a 45-47 halftime deficit to an 83-66 lead entering the fourth.
The Coffee Lovers, however, launched a 26-12 run to cut the lead down to three, 95-92, with less than a minute to play.
Rich Guinitaran saved CEU's blushes with a dagger three with 37.7 seconds remaining as the team stopped Gamboa's final hurrah.
“Kinausap namin siya at sinabi naming kailangang yung kumpyansa, sa kanya dapat mag-start,” said Coach Yong Garcia about Guinitaran's takeover
Guinitaran finished with 24 points on six triples, while Orlan Wamar made four treys to come up with 16 points with 11 assists and five rebounds for the Scorpions, who tied the Wang's Couriers in fourth place at 5-3, a half game behind the Tanduay Rhum Masters for third place.
Playing Coach Leo Avenido dropped nine long toms for 28 points to lead the Coffer Lovers, who lost for the seventh straight time.
Box Scores:
CEU 100-Guinitaran 24, Aquino 18, Wamar 16, Casiño 14, Cruz 10, Uri 8, Fuentes 6, Baconcon 2, Saber 2, Arim 0, Intic 0, Jeruta 0, Manlangit 0
Gamboa 96-Avenido 28, Parala 17, Cawaling 13, Acuña 11, Padilla 11, Montuano 10, Vidal 3, Acibar 2, Knuttel 1, Arellano 0, Dadjilul 0
Quarterscores: 17-30, 45-47, 83-66, 100-96
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
Box Scores:
CEU 100-Guinitaran 24, Aquino 18, Wamar 16, Casiño 14, Cruz 10, Uri 8, Fuentes 6, Baconcon 2, Saber 2, Arim 0, Intic 0, Jeruta 0, Manlangit 0
Gamboa 96-Avenido 28, Parala 17, Cawaling 13, Acuña 11, Padilla 11, Montuano 10, Vidal 3, Acibar 2, Knuttel 1, Arellano 0, Dadjilul 0
Quarterscores: 17-30, 45-47, 83-66, 100-96
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno