Header Ads Widget

Zark's-Lyceum escapes Wang's-Letran's late run

Mike Nzeusseu dropped 27 points on Zark's-Lyceum's Intramuros rival. PBA Media Bureau
By Dugout Philippines

PASIG--Zark’s Burger-Lyceum blew a 14-point lead in the third quarter but kept is poise in the stretch to repel a furious rally by Wang's Basketball-Letran for a heart-stopping 95-93 win Monday in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at Pasig Sports Center.

MJ Ayaay made a key assist to Jaycee Marcelino for the go ahead floater with 1:03 left as the Jawbreakers picked up their fourth straight win to improve to 4-1.

The Couriers had another chance to tie but the Jawbreakers’ defense prevented it from happening.

Zark’s Burger-Lyceum led 81-67 at the 9:24 mark of the fourth but Wang's Basketball-Letran refused to go away. They battled and battled until Bonbon Batiller ties it at 93-all with 1:26 left.

“I made the mistake. It’s my responsibility because I wanted to give the others a chance to play. It almost turned into a loss and it’s my responsibility,” remarked coach Topex Robinson.

Mike Nzeusseu came away with 27 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks to show the way for the Jawbreakers, while CJ Perez tallied 18 points, five dimes, and two steals.

Ralph Tansingco also came up big, going 4-of-6 from 3 to finish with 16.

“We have to give credit to Wang's. They really wanted to win it badly,” said Robinson. “But now, I know that we know how to finish games. These close games, we learn from our mistakes and it makes us sharper.”

Bong Quinto paced the Couriers with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists, while JP Calvo had 16 markers, five dimes, and three boards.

The Scores:

ZARK’S BURGER-LYCEUM 95 — Nzeusseu 27, Perez 18, Tansingco 16, Ayaay 11, Jv. Marcelino 8, Serrano 6, Jc. Marcelino 4, Baltazar 3, Santos 2, Caduyac 0, Cinco 0, Ibañez 0, Marata 0

WANG'S BASKETBALL-LETRAN 93 — Quinto 22, Calvo 16, Fajarito 13, Ambohot 11, Batiller 7, Muyang 6, Publico 6, Mandreza 5, Trinidad 3, Balanza 2, Taladua 2, Balagasay 0

Quarters: 18-20, 46-45, 77-67, 95-93.

Follow the site on Twitter: @DugoutPH