Jawbreakers, Revellers pull off reversals

MANILA, Philippines — Zark’s Burgers-Lyceum and Che’Lu Bar and Grill-San Sebastian hacked out a pair of reversals over their fancied rivals to seize the head-start in their respective semifinal face-offs in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Pasig City Sports Center yesterday.

The third seeded Jawbreakers charged back from 16 points down in regulation then leaned on Jaycee Marcelino and Mike Nzeusseu in overtime to stun the No. 2 Marinerong Pilipino Skippers, 90-87.

Marcelino and Nzeusseu combined for seven points in extension to thwart the Skippers and complete their stirring come-from-behind win.

The Revellers, on the other hand, banked on new acquisitions Cedrick Ablaza, Jeff Viernes and Jay-R Taganas anew as they stunned the top-seeded Akari-Adamson Falcons, 70-60, in their side of the best-of-three semis.

Zark’s Burgers-LPU and Che’Lu Bar and Grill-San Sebastian gun for the clinchers at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig tomorrow.

“These guys, they just kept on pressing and they didn’t give up. I told them that this is for our growth as a team and we are going to learn a lot from this so you don’t feel the pressure in them,” said Zark’s coach Topex Robinson.

CJ Perez poured in nine of his 14 points in the fourth to help rally Zark’s Burgers-LPU from 40-56 down in the third quarter to an 81-78 lead with 49.4 seconds left in the contest.

But the Skippers fought back and drew level on a Billy Robles’ split and a putback with 26.4 to go, forcing an extra five minutes as Perez flubbed two free throws in the last 3.2 seconds and Robles foiled Jesper Ayaay’s attempt.

Jaycee Marcelino and Nzeusseu finished with 20 points apiece while Wilson Baltazar had 15 markers and Jayvee Marcelino added 10 points.

Rian Ayonayon logged a game-high 22 points, Gab Banal came through with 18, Alvin Pasaol scored 12 while Billy Robles chipped in 11 for Marinerong Pilipino.