PBA IMAGES
Gamboa Coffee Mix-St. Clare used a strong third quarter assault to send Jose Rizal University to its second straight loss, 93-76, Monday in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
Fil-Am guard Trevis Jackson dazzled his way to 25 points and accounted for 10 of the Coffee Lovers’ 38 third quarter markers to grab the commanding 72-54 lead.
Chris Bitoon added 18 markers, eight coming in that telling third period, on top of four rebounds and three assists, while Malian big man Mohammed Pare wound up with a double-double of 17 points and 12 boards.
Collecting back-to-back victories to improve its standing at 2-1, Gamboa-St. Clare coach Jinino Manansala believes that it further helps his side gain respect from its favored foes.
“We just wanted to give a statement so that we can gain respect from teams in the other leagues,” he said.
The Coffee Lovers refused to step on the brakes, running the Heavy Bombers to the ground, 28-7, and capitalized on JRU’s 23 turnovers which they turned to 23 turnover points.
Paolo Pontejos led JRU (1-2) with 16 points on a 4-of-8 shooting from threes, while MJ Dela Virgen had 14.
The scores:
GAMBOA COFFEE MIX-ST. CLARE 93 — Jackson 25, Bitoon 18, Pare 17, Dionisio 9, Ambuludto 6, Hallare 6, Rebugio 5, Rubio 4, Acuno 3, Alcober 0, Catura 0, Decano 0, Fontanilla 0, Jumaquio 0.
JRU 76 — Pontejos 16, Dela Virgen 14, Apinan 10, Mendoza 10, Esguerra 7, Tayongtong 7, Tobiano 6, Yu 4, Padua 2, Bordon 0, Perez 0, Silvarez 0.
Quarters: 16-17, 34-33, 72-54, 93-76.