Che’Lu-San Sebastian stuns Gamboa-St. Clare, advances to D-League semis

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Che’Lu Bar and Grill-San Sebastian bucked its poor start and scored a 80-72 come-from-behind win over Gamboa Coffee Mix-St. Clare Thursday in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup quarterfinals at Pasig Sports Center.

Jeff Viernes and RK Ilagan teamed up in rescuing the Revellers and combed for 18 points in the payoff period, where they staged a 14-2 blast to seize the lead for good, 66-60, with 5:12 to go.

Che’Lu Bar and Grill-San Sebastian set a date against top seed Akari-Adamson in the best-of-three semifinals.

Viernes announced his return to the D-League with 22 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while Ilagan dropped eight of his 10 markers in that final frame, to go with his nine boards and four assists.

Che’Lu-San Sebastian got a huge boost from its new recruits, with Cedrick Ablaza pouring nine points and 12 rebounds, while Jay-R Taganas had five markers and eight boards.

“Although they are new in our team. I feel that they were the ones who carried us in the end game,” said coach Stevenson Tiu, as the Revellers trailed 11-24 early and stared at a 52-58 deficit in the fourth.

Samboy de Leon remained a solid cog for the Revellers with nine points and six rebounds in the win.

Chris Bitoon kept the Coffee Lovers in the thick of things with his 19 points and seven rebounds, while Joshua Fontanilla was a surprise boost with his 13.

Unfortunately, Fil-Am guard Trevis Jackson could only muster 11 points on a 4-of-12 shooting as Gamboa-St. Clare saw its dream playoff run come to a halt in the quarterfinals.

The Scores:

CHE’LU BAR AND GRILL-SAN SEBASTIAN 80 — Viernes 22, Ilagan 10, Ablaza 9, De Leon 9, Bulanadi 7, Batino 6, Costelo 6, Taganas 5, Collado 4, Faundo 2, Siruma 0.

GAMBOA COFFEE MIX-ST. CLARE 72 — Bitoon 19, Fontanilla 13, Dionisio 12, Pare 12, Jackson 11, Rubio 5, Decano 0, Hallare 0.

Quarters: 16-27, 37-40, 52-56, 80-72.