Zark’s forces rubber match

Game Tuesday (Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City) 4 p.m. – Che’Lu vs Zark’s (Series tied 1-1)

Zark’s Burgers center Mike Nzeusseu soared high for an emphatic block on veteran Che’Lu Bar and Grill guard Stephen Siruma’s layup in transition, sending the leather flying to the stands inside the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

That smothering defense which coach Topex Robinson has been wanting to see was in full display last night as the Jawbreakers got back at the Revellers, 98-90, to force a winner-take-all showdown for the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup crown.

Newly-minted MVP CJ Perez, despite incurring two quick fouls, still led their balanced attack with 15 points on top of seven rebounds and four assists but it was the Jawbreakers’ suffocating pressure that did the trick to bounce back from a 103-107 loss in the series opener last Tuesday.

“We reminded them this is the finals already and we have to bring our defensive mindset coming to the game,” said Robinson. “‘Yun naman ang nawala sa amin last game. We thought that it’s gonna be a walk in the park for us but reality struck us hard.”

The Jawbreakers, playing a better sense of urgency collectively this time, set the tone early on behind their vaunted pressure defense, taking control behind a strong 21-8 start before building a lead as high as 22 points in the third period.