Mohammed Pare tries to beat Prince for the ball. PBA Media Bureau |
By Dugout Philippines
QUEZON CITY--Gamboa Coffee Mix-St. Clare outscored Perpetual down the stretch to escape with a 78-73 victory Monday in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup at JCSGO Gym.
Aris Dionisio scattered 21 points, 11 coming in the fourth quarter, to lead a ferocious rally that helped the Coffee Lovers battled back from a 12-point deficit.
Dionisio also grabbed eight rebounds, had six blocks, and four steals in the all-around performance as Gamboa Coffee Mix-St. Clare improved to 3-2 record to stay in the playoff picture.
The Altas led for most part until Dionisio got into the groove and sparked a 17-4 blast that shove the Coffee Lovers ahead 66-65 with 4:54 left.
"Nakapag-adjust kami sa depensa. We played our matchups at in-adjust namin yung depensa sa pick-and-roll kaya ang dami naming steals," remarked coach Jinino Manansala.
Gamboa Coffee Mix-St. Clare capped its defensive effort with 13 steals that translated into 27 turnover points.
Mohammed Pare tallied a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, Trevis Jackson had 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists, and Chris Bitoon chipped it 10 for the Coffee Lovers, who outscored the Altas, 17-8 down the stretch.
Perpeutual regained the lead at 67-66 on a jumper by Rey Peralta but the Coffee Lovers answered with a quick 6-0 run and never looked back after that.
Peralta unloaded 17 points while John Rey Villanueva had 13 markers and three boards for Perpetual.
The Scores:
GAMBOA COFFEE MIX-ST. CLARE 78 -- Dionisio 21, Pare 16, Jackson 11, Bitoon 10, Ambuludto 7, Rebugio 6, Hallare 5, Acuno 2, Alcober 0, Fontanilla 0, Rubio 0.
PERPETUAL 73 -- Peralta 17, Villanueva 13, Charcos 12, Aurin 11, Eze 11, Coronel 6, Pido 3, Mangalino 0, Precillas 0, Tiburcio 0.
Quarters: 12-21, 31-41, 49-57, 78-73.
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