Ebondo saves Scorpions from Heavy Bombers

Rod Ebondo saved the day anew for Centro Escolar University in a 77-75 thriller over Jose Rizal University in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup on Monday at Pasig Sports Center.

Ebondo poured in 33 points, including the game-winning jumper with 1.1 seconds left, and had 15 rebounds on top of three assists, two steals and two blocks.

“We’re just lucky that Rodrigue’s shot went down,” said coach Yong Garcia.

Ebondo also came up with a huge defensive play, blocking Jeckster Apinan’s attempt in the final 15 seconds before hitting the go-ahead basket as the league-leading Scorpions improved to 5-1.

Joseph Manlangit chipped in 15 markers, while Art Aquino had eight, none bigger than his undergoal stab to knot the score at 75 with 20.6 seconds left.

Despite the victory that kept the Scorpions on top of the leaderboard, Garcia rued his team’s tendency to play complacent against a lower-rung team like JRU.

“That’s our problem, our complacency,” he said.
“We started flat and that’s the reason why we struggled. Luckily, we were able to focus in the end game.”

Kris Porter posted 21 points on 5-of-9 shooting from three-point area for the Heavy Bombers, who absorbed their sixth straight defeat and dropped to 1-6.
Paolo Pontejos added 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Ervin Grospe had 10.