Ebondo hits game winner to lift CEU over JRU

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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 Monday at Pasig Sports Center.

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

“We’re just lucky that Rodrigue’s shot went down,” admitted 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 league-leading CEU 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 at the top of the standings, 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 for the Heavy Bombers, who suffered their sixth straight defeat and dropped to 1-6. Paolo Pontejos added 14 markers, five rebounds, and three assists, while Ervin Grospe had 10.

The scores:

CEU 77 — Ebondo 33, Manlangit 15, Aquino 8, Chan 7, Veron 7, Caballero 5, Wamar 2, Arim 0, Cruz 0, Guinitaran 0, Fuentes 0.

JRU 75 — Porter 21, Pontejos 14, Grospe 10, Apinan 8, De Guzman 7, Dela Virgen 7, Esguerra 4, Mendoza 4, Sawat 0, Yu 0.

Quarters: 16-17, 38-39, 58-64, 77-75.