Coffee Lovers rally past Altas, boost D-League bid

MANILA, Philippines — Gamboa Coffee Mix-St. Clare closed out with a flourish as it overhauled double-digit deficits to repulse Perpetual Help, 78-73, and move to sixth in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao yesterday.

The Coffee Lovers trailed majority of the way but unleashed a strong finishing kick with Aris Dionisio keying their closing 17-4 run to rally from 12 down and improve to 3-2.

The victory likewise put Gamboa Coffee back on track after dropping an 85-92 setback to pacesetting Akari-Adamson last Feb. 15.

“I have high respect for all the teams here. I just told the players to work on the small things and take it one game at a time and we’ll also gain the respect of other teams,” said Coffee Lovers coach Jinino Manansala.

Dionisio finished with 21 points while Malian Mohammed Pare, Fil-Am Trevis Jackson and Christopher Bitoon, who also hit clutch baskets in the fourth, had 16, 11 and 10 markers, respectively.

Wangs Basketball-Letran later joined Gamboa Coffee at 3-2 with a 73-55 rout of Jose Rizal University.

The Couriers picked up their pace in the second quarter and pulled away to a 22-point lead in the third period.

Christian Fajarito paced Wangs Basketball-CSJL with 15 points, Bong Quinto came through with 13 markers while Jerrick Balanza added 12 points.