PBA IMAGES
Zark’s Burger-Lyceum used a superb second half to decimate Marinerong Pilipino, 102-89, and progress to the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Finals Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
CJ Perez led the cavalry with 23 points, six rebounds, five assists, and four steals and steered the sixth seed Jawbreakers to a sweep of the best-of-three semifinals series and become the lowest ranked team to reach the Finals.
“Again, it’s just a blessing for us to be here. We’re so grateful that were given opportunity to play in the Finals,” said coach Topex Robinson.
Mike Nzeusseu has 15 markers and corralled nine boards, while MJ Ayaay got 13 points and four rebounds for Zark’s-Lyceum.
Spencer Pretta also shot 3-of-8 from three to nab 12 points, while twins Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino combined for 18, six rebounds, and five assists.
After a nip-and-tuck first half, the Jawbreakers blew the game wide open in the third quarter as Ayaay poured 11 of his side’s 31 points where to build a 16-point lead, 74-58 en route to its biggest advantage at 94-76 in the fourth quarter.
“I just reminded them to just play their game, enjoy this opportunity,” said Robinson. “If you have players like this, they really respond to every adversity that they face.”
The duel between Zark’s-Lyceum and Che’Lu-San Sebastian marks first time that neither of the top two teams at the end of the eliminations reached the championship round.
Rian Ayonayon saw his 31-point, 9-rebound performance go down the drain with Marinerong Pilipino’s elimination.
Abu Tratter also got a double-double of 13 markers and 10 rebounds, while Alvin Pasaol got 12 and nine.
The Scores:
ZARK’S BURGER-LYCEUM 102 — Perez 23, Nzeusseu 15, Ayaay 13, Pretta 12, Jc. Marcelino 10, Jv. Marcelino 8, Tansingco 8, Cinco 5, Baltazar 4, Caduyac 2, Serrano 2, Ibañez 0.
MARINERONG PILIPINO 89 — Ayonayon 31, Tratter 13, Pasaol 12, Toth 11, Banal 7, Tolentino 5, Terso 4, Iñigo 3, Babilonia 2, Robles 1, Miranda 0.
Quarters: 23-21, 45-45, 76-64, 102-89.