The Che’Lu-San Sebastian Revellers fended off the Gamboa-St. Clare Coffee Lovers late to come away with the 79-73 win, Tuesday afternoon at the Pasig Sports Center.
The Revellers lost hold of a 14-point advantage, 71-57, in the final 3:30 as Trevis Jackson and Aris Dionisio paired up in the Coffee Lovers’ 16-4 rally to chop the lead down, 75-73, with 23.4 seconds left on the clock.
Samboy De Leon initially missed his free throws with 17.1 seconds left, but quickly redeemed himself with a huge offensive rebound and two more foul shots with 15.2 ticks remaining to ice the game, 77-73.
“Thank God, naka-survive ulit kami. Crucial ito kung gusto naming maka-placing ng maganda,” said coach Stevenson Tiu.
RK Ilagan unloaded 17 points, five assists, and three rebounds, while Jeepy Faundo tallied a double-double of 11 markers and 11 boards for Che’Lu-San Sebastian, which improved to 6-3 in the standings.
Alfred Batino chimed in 10 points and six rebounds, while De Leon almost nabbed a double-double of his own with nine markers and nine boards.
It was a tough game for the Revellers, as they missed the services of Michael Calisaan, who fractured his left elbow in their last game against Zark’s Burger-Lyceum. But Tiu was confident that the manpower he has can make up for the absence of his top forward.
“Ang Che’Lu, di lang naman si Michael yan eh. Anybody can step up. Team effort yan,” he said.
Jackson dropped 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, as well as grabbing five rebounds and dishing out three assists, while Dionisio got 14 markers and 12 boards in the loss.
Gamboa-St. Clare fell to an even 3-3 card.
The Scores:
Che’Lu-San Sebastian 79 — Ilagan 17, Faundo 11, Batino 10, De Leon 9, Bulanadi 7, Collado 6, Jeruta 5, Siruma 5, Santos 4, Capobres 3, Costelo 2, David 0, Lao 0.
Gamboa-St. Clare 73 — Jackson 19, Hallare 16, Dionisio 14, Pare 8, Ambuludto 4, Rubio 4, Bitoon 3, Rebugio 3, Fontanilla 2, Acuno 0, Alcober 0.
Quarterscores: 18-16, 31-31, 55-46, 79-73.
