MANILA, Philippines – Gab Banal took over in the final stretch as the Go for Gold Scratchers took down the AMA Online Education Titans in an 86-83 thriller on Thursday, June 7, at the Ynares Sports Arena.
Banal buried the team’s last 6 points before finishing with a double-double of 28 points and 15 rebounds to go along with 4 assists to lift the Scratchers to their second straight triumph.
Centro Escolar University, meanwhile, kicked off its campaign under new coach Derrick Pumaren with an easy 94-78 triumph over Che’lu Bar & Grill.
Pierce Tyron Chan led the Scorpions with 21 points and 7 rebounds.
Before his end-game heroics, Banal fueled Go for Gold’s third-quarter run where he dropped 8 straight points, including two triples, that gave them a commanding 61-47 lead.
The Scratchers’ 23 turnovers, however, allowed the Titans to trim the gap, pulling within 3 points, 84-81, with 1:20 left in the game until clutch free throws from Banal sealed the game.
Owen Graham carried AMA in a Herculean double-double effort of 31 points and 24 rebounds.
AMA sped to a 27-15 lead in the first quarter but saw it crumble as CSB countered with a 12-2 run.
Kris Porter also chipped in 14 points and James Martinez scored 10 for the Scratchers.
The scores:
First Game
CEU (94) — Chan 21, Wamar 19, Oloume 12, Rojas 12, Ko. Caballero 9, Ke. Caballero 8, Formento 7, Guinitaran 3, Intic 3, Uri 0.
CHE’LU BAR AND GRILL (78) — Viernes 18, Bitoon 17, Melano 11, Collado 8, Mallari 8, Taganas 8, Siruma 4, Ochea 2, Sta. Ana 2, Flores 0, Lao 0, Ng 0. Quarters: 21-16, 41-36, 67-52, 94-78.
Quarter scores: 21-16, 41-36, 67-52, 94-78.
Second Game
GO FOR GOLD (86) – Banal 28, Porter 14, Martinez 10, Desiderio 7, Salem 7, Dennison 6, Gaco 6, Tolentino 5, Reyes 3, Castor 0, Pili 0, Wong 0.
AMA (83) –Graham 31, Matillano 17, Liwag 12, Palencia 12, Soriano 8, Marata 3, Alao 0, Barde 0, Cariaga 0, Lao 0.
Quarter scores: 29-18, 46-51, 72-69, 86-83.
– Franco Luna/Rappler.com
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