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Go for Gold-CSB rallies late in fourth to romp Batangas-EAC

Yankie Haruna fired 23 points for Go for Gold-CSB. PBA Media Bureau
By Dugout Philippines

PASIG--Go for Gold got it all together late to turn back Batangas-EAC, 106-95, in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup on Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena.

Yankie Haruna recorded his best game to date, leading the Scratchers with 23 points and ex-pro Jerwin Gaco tallied double-double in the tune of 21 points and 10 boards as Go for Gold claimed its second straight win.

The Scratchers also got huge contributions from Justin Gutang with 15 points, including nine in the final fourth quarter and J-Jay Alejandro who had 13 and five assists.

Go for Gold improved to 4-3 and tied Zark's Burger-Lyceum at joint seventh place.

Coach Charles Tiu is far from satisfied, though, especially with how his wards performed against a cellar-dwelling squad.

"We have a tendency to think that we're better than what we really are," he said. "We have never proven anything in the NCAA or D-League. it's disappointing in that sense, but we're happy with the win. We battled back despite Batangas controlling the game for the most part."

The Scratchers saw their 94-87 lead dwindle down to three, 94-91 after back-to-back buckets from Cedric Ablaza and Earvin Mendoza with 2:47 left.

But Alejandro and Gutang saved the day for Go for Gold, canning big baskets in the end game to seal the win.

Ablaza led Batangas-EAC (1-6) with a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds while Cedric de Joya got 18 markers.

The Scores:

GO FOR GOLD 106 -- Haruna 23, Gaco 21, Gutang 15, Alejandro 13, Leutcheu 8, Casi?o 7, Dixon 7, Naboa 6, Salem 3, Domingo 2, Pasturan 1, Ocampo 0, Young 0.

BATANGAS-EAC 95 -- Ablaza 21, De Joya 18, Maguliano 11, Altamirano 10, E. Mendoza 8, Garcia 7, Dela Pe?a 6, Diego 6, Bautista 4, Tampoc 4, J. Mendoza 0.

Quarters: 22-22, 48-46, 75-75, 106-95.

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