CCI-Yengskivel proved it wanted it more against fellow newcomer Keanzel Basketball yesterday.
Leaning on a fiery start and a better finish, the Crusaders downed Keanzel 80-73 for their first win in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
CCI-Yengskivel zoomed to a furious 38-13 start but needed one last push to hold off its foes and avenge a 68-110 loss to reigning two-time champion EcoOil-La Salle in its opening match.
Victor Ryan Nuarin tallied 19 points, grabbed five rebounds, and had two steals as the Bulacan-based cagers, at 1-1, climbed to third spot in the six-team tourney, just behind the unbeaten Green Archers and Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda.
Castor Troy Manipolo added 13 markers, while Kenneth Tener and Kenjie Ryan Buenaflor had 11 each for the Crusaders, who will gun for a second straight win against Centro Escolar University tomorrow at the same venue.
“Muntik na, buti nakapag-settle down kami. Nakapag-pondo kasi kami nang malaki at iyon ang mahalaga. Iyon ang nag-materialize sa dulo,” CCI-Yengskivel coach Arwin Adina said.
The Crusaders broke the game wide open with a 16-2 blitz to set the pace and stretched the lead to 25 only to allow a massive Keanzel comeback try.
Powered by a 23-8 run in the second period to pull to within 38-46 at the half, Keanzel rode on CCI’s coattails in the second half before Alfren Gayosa’s back-to-back baskets propelled them to within 73-75 in the last 51 seconds.
That proved to be their last stand as Charles dela Cruz’s transition lay-up and Romnile Talagtag’s booming trey in the last 21 seconds put on the finishing touches for CCI-Yengskivel.
