PHOTO BY TRISTAN TAMAYO / INQUIRER.net
Zark’s Burger-Lyceum dealt Che’Lu Bar and Grill-San Sebastian a 98-90 defeat on Thursday to send the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Finals to a deciding Game 3 at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Conference MVP CJ Perez commandeered the Jawbreakers’ signature balanced attack, finishing with 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists as all but one of the 12 players coach Topex Robinson fielded scored.
Jaycee Marcelino came off the bench to add 13 points, while Mike Nzeusseu posted 11 points, 11 boards, two assists, and two blocks for Zark’s-Lyceum, which also got 11 points, six rebounds, and five assists from MJ Ayaay.
“Again, we just have to battle our way. Just to have the peace of mind that we know we did our best, we’ll be at peace whatever the outcome is,” said Robinson.
Game 3 is set on Tuesday.
The Jawbreakers unleashed a 21-8 opening salvo en route to a 20-point half-time lead, 52-32.
RK Ilagan and Allyn Bulanadi kept Che’Lu-San Sebastian in the fight in the fourth quarter as the Revellers got to within 96-90 with a pair of free throws from Jayson David in the final 6.7 seconds.
Jayvee Marcelino iced the game at the free throw line with 5.4 ticks left.
The defense of Zark’s, managed by Bernard Yang, held on this time, forcing the Revellers to shoot only 37 percent from the field, compared to its 44 percent, that compensated for a 44-67 rebounding deficiency.
Bulanadi paced Che’Lu with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Ilagan tallied 13 points.