MANILA, Philippines – Go for Gold kicked off its campaign in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup on a bright note as the Scratchers claimed a hard-fought 75-68 win over Gamboa Coffee Mix-St. Clare College on Monday at the Pasig Sports Center.

Trailing most of the way, Go for Gold got clutch performances from former National University (NU) standout J-Jay Alejandro and young De La Salle-College of St. Benilde guard Unique Naboa as they pulled away in the final quarter of the game.

Alejandro gave Go for Gold the lead for good with a bucket for a 57-55 lead, before Edward Dixon knocked down a triple and Clement Leutcheu scored inside the paint to push the Scratchers ahead, 62-55, with six minutes to go.

A Naboa triple with 3:37 left made it a nine-point game, 71-62, but Aris Dionisio and Trevis Jackson sparked Gamboa's comeback attempt. A bucket by Jackson with still 1:50 left trimmed the deficit to three points, 71-68.

On the other end, Alejandro's lay-up rimmed out, giving Gamboa further hope. But the Coffee Lovers could not hold on to the ball as Alejandro came from out of nowhere to swipe at it, before dishing off to Jerwin Gaco for a crucial twinner.

Gamboa's fate was sealed when Dionisio drew a foul on Alejandro while shooting a triple, only to misfire on all three free throws awarded to him.

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After trailing 52-53 heading into the final frame, the Scratchers outscored the Coffee Lovers, 23-15, in the payoff period.

"We needed a test like this," said Go for Gold coach Charles Tiu. "As a young team, (we needed) to learn how to come from behind against a very good team like St. Clare."

"But hopefully in future games, we don't end up in a hole like this because it was not an easy win. We had some luck on our side," he added.

Matt Salem led Go for Gold with 14 points, while Gaco had 13 points and nine rebounds. Alejandro struggled from the field, making only two of his 10 field goals, but compensated by dishing out seven assists.

The Scratchers finished the game without Arellano University star Kent Salado, who had scored nine points and tallied five rebounds and four assists before leaving with 2:48 left in the third period after appearing to hurt his right knee.

Dionisio led Gamboa-St. Clare with 19 points and 13 rebounds.

The scores:

GO FOR GOLD 75 — Leutcheu 14, Gaco 13, Gutang 10, Salado 9, Naboa 8, Salem 8, Alejandro 5, Dixon 3, Pili 2, San Juan 2, Domingo 1.

GAMBOA COFFEE MIX-ST. CLARE 68 — Dionisio 19, Rubio 11, Pare 10, Ambuludto 8, Hallare 6, Rebugio 6, Jackson 4, Acuno 2, Bitoon 2, Alcober 0.

Quarter scores: 14-19, 30-33, 52-53, 75-68

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