D-League: Gamboa-St. Clare burns Mila’s Lechon for back-to-back wins

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Gamboa Coffee Mix-St. Clare used a strong second quarter surge to dump Mila’s Lechon, 70-58, and cruise to its second win in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Tied at 17 with 4:27 to play in the second frame, the Coffee Lovers staged a 16-0 burst to take a 33-17 halftime lead and grab a lead as high as 30, 59-29, early in the fourth quarter.

Fil-Am guard Trevis Jackson sustained his standout performance, this time finishing with 19 points and five rebounds, while Aris Dionisio got 15 markers, four boards, and three blocks.

Raymond Rubio chimed in 10 points off the bench, along with five rebounds, while Malian big man Mohammed Pare kept things afloat in the paint as he wound up with eight markers, 18 boards, three steals, and two rejections.

The Coffee Lovers are now at to 2-1.

Dominant as the victory may seem, coach Jinino Manansala wasn’t happy with how Gamboa-St. Clare finished the game as it saw the lead dwindle down to as low as 11 late in the game.

“The boys underestimated our opponents and that’s why our lead was cut down,” he said. “I know they can take 30-point leads. This is a lesson for us that every game, we need to give our best.”

Axel Iñigo was the lone bright spot for cellar-dweller Mila’s Lechon (0-3) with 23 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.

The Scores:

GAMBOA COFFEE MIX-ST. CLARE 70 — Jackson 19, Dionisio 15, Rubio 10, Pare 8, Rebugio 8, Bitoon 4, Ambuludto 3, Hallare 2, Acuno 1, Catura 0.

MILA’S LECHON 58 — Iñigo 23, Montuano 12, Ng 9, Delfinado 5, Acibar 2, Derige 2, Parala 2, Sarangay 2, Padilla 1, Bellosillo 0, Crisostomo 0, Deles 0, Herradura 0.

Quarters: 17-10, 33-17, 57-29, 70-58.