The Zark’s-Lyceum Jawbreakwers pulled off a tough 108-106 overtime victory against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas, Tuesday afternoon to gain steam for the upcoming playoffs.
MJ Ayaay showed poise in the endgame as he finished off a nice play from a Reymar Caduyac assist to nail the game-winning undergoal stab at the buzzer as the Jawbreakers ended the eliminations on a three-game winning streak.
“The more minutes we play, it will just make us better,” said coach Topex Robinson, as Zark’s-Lyceum survived a furious fightback from Perpetual from 16-points down in the fourth quarter, 82-66. “Sa akin, any opportunity to learn, we’ll take it. It prepares us for the bigger picture.”
Ayaay wound up with 10 points and seven rebounds as the Jawbreakers once again went on a balanced attack to repulse the Altas.
Ralph Tansingco topscored for the squad with 19 points on a 4-of-12 clip from downtown, while also collecting three rebounds and two assists.
Mike Nzeusseu tallied a double-double of 16 markers and 16 boards, CJ Perez contributed 14 points, three rebounds, three dimes, and three steals, and Jaycee Marcelino came off the bench to register 12 markers and seven boards.
Robinson put a premium on finishing the eliminations on a high as at 7-4, Zark’s-Lyceum currently holds to the fifth spot.
That might not be for long, though, as a Gamboa-St. Clare win over AMA on Thursday would drop the Jawbreakers down to sixth.
Still, the youthful mentor is unfazed, saying: “Kahit five o six kami, we’re gonna be okay.”
Prince Eze tried his earnest for Perpetual, draining the overtime-forcing putback which knotted the score at 95 at the buzzer. Unfortunately, his 30 points, 22 rebounds, and three blocks would not be enough as the Las Piñas crew exited the tournament with a 3-8 record.
Rey Anthony Peralta chimed in 26 markers and eight boards, while Kim Aurin got 23 points, nine assists, and five rebounds.
The Scores:
Zark’s-Lyceum 108 — Tansingco 19, Nzeusseu 16, Perez 14, Jc. Marcelino 12, Ayaay 10, Jv. Marcelino 8, Yong 7, Caduyac 5, Ibañez 5, Pretta 4, Serrano 4, Cinco 2, Marata 2, Baltazar 0.
UPHSD 106 — Eze 30, Peralta 26, Aurin 23, Pido 13, Coronel 9, Charcos 5, Mangalino 0, Pasia 0, Precillas 0, Tamayo 0, Tiburcio 0.
Quarterscores: 29-23, 57-45, 82-66, 95-95, 108-106.