MANILA, Philippines — Trevis Jackson scattered 30 points on Monday leading Gamboa Coffee Mix-St. Clare to a 104-81 victory over Batangas-EAC in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Fil-Am guard went 12-of-17 clip from the field and hauled down four rebounds as the Coffee Lovers’ picked up their first win of the conference.
Malian center Mohammed Pare chalked up double-double with 18 points and 11 boards, John Ambuludto chipped in 13 points and nine rebounds, and Aris Dionisio contributed nine markers and 17 boards as Gamboa Coffee Mix-St. Clare’s evened its record to 1-1.
Centro Escolar University provided the day’s stunner though by dispatching Marinerong Pilipino, 104-93, in the second game.
The Scorpions used a 16-7 run early in the second quarter to turn a one point deficit into a 40-30 lead with 4:50 left in the period. CEU knocked down four three-pointers in that decisive run, two them courtesy of Rod Ebondo.
The Skippers pulled within 92-97 on two free throws by Michael Ayonayon with 2:27 left in the fourth but the Scorpions kept their poise to repel the threat.
Rod Ebondo trned in 30 points and nine rebounds while Judel Fuentes added 20 for the CEU which opened its campaign on a bright note.
Ayonayon tallied 24 points while Renz Subido and Billy Robles had 17 apiece for the Skippers, who fell to the second straight loss and dropped to 1-2.
Coach Jinino Manansala breathes sigh of relief after the lopsided win noting he expects a tough challenge in the tournament.
“Medyo mabigat yung mga school-based teams na pumasok, kaya sabi ko lang sa mga players, one game at a time. Makukuha din namin yan,” he said.
Gamboa-St. Clare pulled away from Batangas-EAC, using a 33-point second quarter explosion for a 53-38 halftime advangtage.
Then Jackson took over, scoring 12 of the Coffee Lovers’ 28 third quarter points as Gamboa extended the lead to as high as 31, 99-68, in the waning seconds of the game.
Chris dela Peña led the Batangas-EAC (0-2) with 14 points and three rebounds, while JP Maguliano got 13 markers and six boards.
The scores:
First Game
GAMBOA COFFEE MIX-ST. CLARE 104 — Jackson 30, Pare 18, Ambuludto 13, Dionisio 9, Hallare 9, Bitoon 8, Rubio 6, Rebugio 6, Penaredondo 3, Acuno 2, Alcober 0, Fontanilla 0, Jumaquio 0.
BATANGAS-EAC 81 — Dela Peña 14, Maguliano 13, De Joya 9, E. Mendoza 8, Laude 7, Diego 7, J. Mendoza 6, Bautista 5, Altamirano 4, Tampoc 4, Martin 0, Pate 0.
Quarters: 20-21, 53-38, 81-59, 104-81.
Second Game
CEU 104 — Ebondo 31, Fuentes 20, Manlangit 19, Wamar 11, Arim 9, Guinitaran 8, Cruz 4, Aquino 2, Caballero 0, Intic 0, Saber 0, Veron 0.
MARINERONG PILIPINO 93 — Ayonayon 24, Subido 17, Robles 17, Toth 10, Tratter 6, Iñigo 6, Paredes 6, Banal 5, Pasaol 2, Babilonia 0, Lopez 0, Terso 0.
Quarters: 20-21, 55-41, 83-75, 104-93.
