Calisaan-less Che’Lu-San Sebastian holds off Gamboa-St. Clare

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Che’Lu Bar and Grill-San Sebastian survived a late rally from Gamboa Coffee Mix-St. Clare to take the 79-73 victory and stretch its winning run to four in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Tuesday at Pasig Sports Center.

RK Ilagan scattered 17 points, five assists, and three rebounds to lead the Revellers, while Jeepy Faundo added a double-double of 11 markers and 11 boards in the win.

“Thank God, we were able to survive again,” quipped coach Stevenson Tiu as his side rose to 6-3. “These games are crucial if we want to get a good placing in the playoffs.”

Che’Lu-San Sebastian built a 11-point lead, 55-44, late in the third quarter and seemed poised to cruise to an easy victory after leading, 71-57 with 3:30 to play.

But Trevis Jackson and Aris Dionisio teamed up for Gamboa-St. Clare’s huge 16-4 blast to get within two, 75-73, in the last 23.4 seconds.

Samboy De Leon blew his chances to ice the game after missing a pair of freebies with 17.1 ticks left, but quickly atoned for his miscue as he grabbed the offensive board and canned his foul shots in his second go-round, 77-73, with 15.2 seconds left.

De Leon wound up with nine points and nine rebounds, while Alfred Batino got 10 markers and six boards in the victory.

The Revellers missed the services of lead forward Michael Calisaan, who is nursing a fractured left elbow after their last game against Zark’s Burger-Lyceum last week.

“We talked about in practice that anybody can step up for us. Che’Lu isn’t just Michael Calisaan, but it’s the team,” said Tiu.

Jackson caught fire late for the Coffee Lovers, unfurling 11 of his 19 points in the final frame, alongside five rebounds and three assists.

Dionisio chipped in 14 markers and 12 boards, while Junjie Hallare had 16 points and six rebounds in the defeat for Gamboa-St. Clare (3-3).

The Scores:

CHE’LU BAR AND GRILL-SAN SEBASTIAN 79 — Ilagan 17, Faundo 11, Batino 10, De Leon 9, Bulanadi 7, Collado 6, Jeruta 5, Siruma 5, Santos 4, Capobres 3, Costelo 2, David 0, Lao 0.

GAMBOA COFFEE MIX-ST. CLARE 73 — Jackson 19, Hallare 16m Dionisio 14, Pare 8, Ambuludto 4, Rubio 4, Bitoon 3, Rebugio 3, Fontanilla 2, Acuno 0, Alcober 0.

Quarters: 18-16, 31-31, 55-46, 79-73.