Go for Gold halts two-game skid, turns back Perpetual Help

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J-Jay Alejandro showed the way as Go for Gold snapped its two-game skid after an 81-69 victory over University of Perpetual Help Tuesday in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.

The former NU Bulldog fired nine of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, while also collecting five rebounds and four assists for the Scratchers, who evened their record at 2-2.

Senegalese big man Clement Leutcheu tallied 14 markers and eight boards, while Jerwin Gaco and Justin Gutang got 11 points apiece with the win.

“I think we’re slowly getting the team that we want a bit, but there’s still some room for improvement,” said Go for Gold coach Charles Tiu.

Go for Gold’s defense allowed it to establish a 59-47 lead, but turnovers allowed the Altas to get back into the game, 59-55, at the end of the third frame.

Luckily for the Scratchers, Alejandro was there to restore order and a 10-2 blast to open the fourth period kept the Altas at bay for good.

“Today, we still can’t be happy because we’ve already built big leads but we turn the ball over too much and that allows our opponents to come back,” said Tiu, who was shaking his head after his side gobbled the ball up 30 times.

Rey Anthony Peralta led Perpetual (1-2) with 18 points and two rebounds, while Kim Aurin got 17 markers and four boards in the defeat.

The Scores:

GO FOR GOLD 81 — Alejandro 23, Leutcheu 14, Gaco 11, Gutang 11, Dixon 8, Haruna 8, Casiño 3, Domingo 3, Naboa 0, Pasturan 0, Pili 0, Salem 0, Young 0.

PERPETUAL 69 — Peralta 18, Aurin 17, Coronel 8, Charcos 7, Eze 6, Mangalino 5, Antonio 4, Villanueva 4, Tamayo 0, Tiburcio 0.

Quarters: 23-19, 42-37, 59-55, 81-69.