Zark’s-Lyceum gets act together, staves off Akari-Adamson

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Zark’s Burger-Lyceum settled down and played to its full potential to hold off Akari-Adamson, 83-76, Tuesday in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

CJ Perez bucked his woeful 6-of-18 shooting and drilled the huge three with 59.5 seconds remaining to push the Jawbreakers’ lead to 81-76. He topscored his squad with 20 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block.

Jaycee Marcelino also got one over his former school as he shot six of his 19 markers in the last five minutes, to go with two boards and two steals, while Ralph Tansingco got 17 points and three rebounds in the win.

Zark’s-Lyceum roared back from a seven-point deficit, 62-69, in the final 7:23 as Perez and Marcelino went to work and sparked the 11-2 run to grab the 73-71 lead with 4:20 left.

Jerrick Ahanmisi got the Falcons within two, 78-76, in the last 2:17, but that was their last hurrah as Perez and the rest of the Jawbreakers clamped down on defense and held on to their third straight win.

“I just challenged them,” said coach Topex Robinson as his side improved to 3-1. “I have to back off sometimes and trust them that they will do the right thing.”

Cameroonian big man Papi Sarr led Akari-Adamson (1-1) with 17 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks, while Ahanmisi went 3-of-9 from threes and shot 15 markers, eight boards, and four dimes in the defeat.

The Scores:

ZARK’S BURGER-LYCEUM 83 — Perez 20, Jc. Marcelino 19, Tansingco 17, Ayaay 8, Nzeusseu 6, Jv. Marcelino 5, Baltazar 2, Caduyac 2, Ibañez 2, Serrano 2, Cinco 0, Marata 0, Santos 0.

AKARI-ADAMSON 76 — Sarr 17, Ahanmisi 15, Espeleta 11, Manganti 9, Mojica 8, Lojera 7, Hill 3, Macion 3, Lastimosa 2, Longalong 1, Bernardo 0, Buenaventura 0, Camacho 0.

Quarters: 26-27, 46-45, 58-61, 83-76.