Aaron Jeruta captained a huge finishing kick to extend the Café France-CEU Bakers’ campaign and score an 86-75 come-from-behind Game 2 win over the Racal Tile Masters, extending their best-of-3 semifinals series in the 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup, Thursday evening at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The diminutive guard fired 10 of his 18 points in the payoff period, while also getting six assists and four rebounds. More importantly, he commanded the Bakers’ late 16-4 strike to claim the victory from the clutches of the Tile Masters.
“I guess it’s Aaron. Aaron Jeruta stepped up. He’s the only veteran in the team and this was his breakthrough game,” said coach Egay Macaraya, as his side fought back from a 14-point deficit, 57-43, early in the third frame.
Congolese big man Rod Ebondo captained Café France with 25 markers, 22 boards, and six blocks, while JK Casino added nine points.
Paul Desiderio also had eight points, none bigger than his huge trey with 1:07 remaining to give his side a 79-75 edge.
Rey Nambatac paced Racal with 14 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, while Jackson Corpuz and Allan Mangahas both finished with 12 markers in the defeat.
The Scores:
Cafe France-CEU (86) – Ebondo 25, Jeruta 18, Casino 9, Desiderio 8, Manlangit 8, Sedurifa 7, Calisaan 6, Faundo 5, Arim 0.
Racal (75) – Nambatac 14, Corpuz 12, Mangahas 12, Torres 11, Cabrera 10, Salado 8, Flores 4, Onwubere 4, Capacio 0, Dagangon 0, Gabawan 0, Gabayni 0, Terso 0.
Quarterscores: 15-20, 33-43, 52-61, 86-75.
