Scratchers overpower Revellers, even series

Game tomorrow 5 p.m. – Go for Gold vs Che’Lu Bar and Grill

Gab Banal took charge as Go for Gold rode on a searing second half charge to wallop Che’Lu Bar and Grill, 105-81, and level their best-of-five finals series in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig yesterday.

Banal poured in 10 of his 33 points in the pivotal third quarter then knocked in two treys to sustain their charge in the fourth while the rest clamped down on defense as the Scratchers bounced back from their 96-100 loss in Game One last Tuesday.

It was Go for Gold’s first win over Che’Lu Bar and Grill in four meetings this conference but the victory gave the Scratchers the needed momentum heading to their crucial Game Three faceoff tomorrow at 5 p.m. at the same venue.

“Defense was what won us the game. In the second half we were able to lock down on them. The effort definitely increased. During halftime, I was very disappointed with the way we were playing. We kept giving up lots of layups and easy points for them,” said Go for Gold coach Charles Tiu.

The Scratchers also drilled in 15 of their 29 attempts from long range while holding Che’Lu Bar and Grill at a 5-for-34 clip from the three-point area en route to securing the win.

Banal converted all but one of his eight three-point tries, Kris Porter dropped 16 points, 12 in the fourth, Ron Dennison scored 12 while Paul Desidero had 10 points, seven in Go for Gold’s third quarter dominance.

Jason Melano led Che’Lu Bar and Grill with 17 points while Jeff Viernes, who exploded with 34 points in Game One, was held to 13 while Jessie Collado was also limited to 11 markers.

Trailing at 45-52 at the start of the third, Go for Gold unleashed a furious 17-0 run behind Gab Banal, Vince Tolentino and Paul Desiderio to post a 62-52 lead which they stretched to 73-58 at the end of the frame on another unanswered 7-0 rally capped by a Banal trey.

The Scratchers never gave the Revellers the room to recover as they opened the fourth on a trey by Matt Salem and Banal drilled in two more for a commanding 22-point bulge, 86-64, at the 6:49 mark. The scores: Go for Gold 105 – Banal 33, Porter 16, Dennison 10, Desiderio 10, Publico 8, Salem 7, Tolentino 7, Wong 5, Martinez 3, Canada 2, Pili 2, Castor 0, Gaco 0, Reyes 0.

Che’Lu Bar and Grill 81 – Melano 17, Viernes 13, Collado 11, Ruaya 9, De Joya 6, Siruma 5, Taganas 5, Ochea 4, Lao 3, Flores 2, Mallari 2, Sta. Ana 2, Hernandez 0.

Quarterscores: 27-27, 45-48, 73-58, 105-81