Haruna, Gaco carry Go for Gold past pesky Batangas-EAC

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Go for Gold needed a huge fourth quarter to defeat Batangas-EAC, 106-95, Thursday in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Yankie Haruna exploded for 23 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals, while Jerwin Gaco chipped in a double-double of 21 markers and 10 boards for the Scratchers’ second straight win to tie Zark’s Burger-Lyceum at 4-3.

Justin Gutang also poured nine of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, while hauling down 10 rebounds, while J-Jay Alejandro got 13 markers and five assists.

Despite the victory, coach Charles Tiu was displeased with how he felt Go for Gold presented itself against the lowly Batangas-EAC.

“We have a tendency to think that we’re better than we really are,” he lamented. “Sometimes, we play so well, but we lost to JRU, and we’re the only team that lost to them. I do’t know why our guys are thinking that way.”

“We have never proven anything in the NCAA or D-League. it’s disappointing in that sense, but we’re happy with the win. We battled back despite Batangas controlling the game for the most part.”

The Scratchers built a seven-point cushion with 4:04 to play in the payoff period as Haruna gave them a 94-87 lead.

Cedric Ablaza and Earvin Mendoza tried to will the Generals back, cutting the lead to three, 94-91, before Alejandro and Gutang delivered the finishing blows.

Ablaza paced Batangas-EAC (1-6) with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, while Cedric de Joya got 18 in the loss.

The Scores:

GO FOR GOLD 106 — Haruna 23, Gaco 21, Gutang 15, Alejandro 13, Leutcheu 8, Casiño 7, Dixon 7, Naboa 6, Salem 3, Domingo 2, Pasturan 1, Ocampo 0, Young 0.

BATANGAS-EAC 95 — Ablaza 21, De Joya 18, Maguliano 11, Altamirano 10, E. Mendoza 8, Garcia 7, Dela Peña 6, Diego 6, Bautista 4, Tampoc 4, J. Mendoza 0.

Quarters: 22-22, 48-46, 75-75, 106-95.