Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Rod Ebondo once again brandished his dominant form to pull Centro Escolar University to a huge 91-85 victory over Zark’s Burger-Lyceum and help preserve its immaculate record in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Tuesday at Marikina Sports Center.
The Congolese big man was unstoppable in the paint as he fired 33 points, 20 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks to keep the Scorpions’ 3-0 record intact.
Art Aquino added 18 markers and six boards, while also drawing a solid outing from Orlan Wamar, who had nine points, five rebounds, and three assists.
“We’re so happy that we’re able to win against LPU. I’m very thankful to the players because we really worked hard in this game,” said coach Yong Garcia.
It was a tight battle up to the last two minutes with the game tied at 84 when CEU stamped its class over Zark’s-Lyceum and took advantage of the opposition’s poor endgame execution as Art Aquino gave his side the 86-84 lead.
Nino Ibañez could only muster a split from the foul line with 32.5 seconds left, but Jaycee Marcelino could not keep the ball on the Jawbreakers’ side, leading to a Wamar three-point play off of a foul from Jaycee Marcelino, 89-85 in the last 25.9 ticks.
Ebondo punctuated the victory with a slam as CJ Perez misfired on the other end.
Perez shot 7-of-20 from the field, but still led his side with 17 points and eight rebounds as Zark’s-Lyceum (4-2) saw its four-game winning streak stopped.
Jaycee Marcelino had 15 markers and seven rebounds as the Jawbreakers kept fighting despite the absence of Cameroonian big man Mike Nzeusseu, who suffered an ankle sprain early in the first quarter.
The Scores:
CEU 91 — Ebondo 33, Aquino 18, Wamar 9, Arim 6, Cruz 6, Fuentes 6, Caballero 4, Guinitaran 3, Manlangit 2, Opiso 2, Veron 2, Saber 0.
ZARK’S BURGER-LYCEUM 85 — Perez 17, Jc. Marcelino 15, Jv. Marcelino 10, Serrano 10, Yong 9, Liwag 6, Caduyac 5, Ibañez 5, Tansingco 4, Nzeusseu 2, Santos 2, Baltazar 0, Pretta 0.
Quarters: 26-26, 50-44, 69-69, 91-85.