Zark’s Burger-Lyceum blew a 14-point lead in the third quarter but kept is poise down the stretch to repel a furious rally by Wang’s Basketball-Letran for a heart-stopping 95-93 win on Monday in the Philippine Basketball Association D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Pasig City Sports Center.
MJ Ayaay made a key assist to Jaycee Marcelino for the go-ahead floater with a minute left as the Jawbreakers picked up their fourth straight win to improved to 4-1 won-lost.
The Couriers had another chance to tie but the Jawbreakers’ defense prevented it from happening.
Zark’s Burger-Lyceum led 81-67 at the 9:24 mark of the fourth but Wang’s Basketball-Letran refused to go away. They battled and battled until Bonson Batiller tied it at 93-all with 1:26 left.
“I made the mistake. It’s my responsibility because I wanted to give the others a chance to play. It almost turned into a loss and it’s my responsibility,” Wang’s Basketball-Letran Coach Topex Robinson remarked.
Mike Nzeusseu came away with 27 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and three blocks to show the way for the Jawbreakers, while CJ Perez tallied 18 points, five assists and two steals.
Ralph Tansingco also came up big, going four-of-six from three to finish with 16 points.
“We have to give credit to Wangs. They really wanted to win it badly,” Robinson said. “But now, I know that we know how to finish games. These close games, we learn from our mistakes and it makes us sharper.”
Bong Quinto paced the Couriers with 22 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, while JP Calvo had 16 markers, five assists and three boards.