Mike Nzeusseu had 15 points in Zark's-Lyceum's lopsided win. PBA Media Bureau
MANILA, Philippines – Zark's Burger-Lyceum of the Philippines University weathered a first-half flurry from Mila's Lechon en route to a dominant 102-55 victory in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup on Thursday at the Pasig Sports Center.
Mike Nzeusseu led the charge for the Jawbreakers with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Jaycee Marcelino and Kim Cinco took advantage of extended garbage time to deliver 12 points each.
The comfortable win was Zark's-Lyceum's fifth straight in the conference.
CJ Perez had a conference-low nine points, though he still added five rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Yet Zark's-Lyceum did not even need an explosive performance from the NCAA MVP as their reserves came up with 55 points in the win.
The Mighty Roasters surprised the Jawbreakers early, surging to an early 6-0 lead and trailing by just five points, 44-39 at the half. They shot 42% from the field in the first two quarters to stay in the game.
However, they simply could not sustain their form. Zark's-Lyceum unloaded a stunning 23-0 run in the third frame, turning a slim 44-41 advantage into a commanding 67-41 lead.
Mila's Lechon had no answers, and the Jawbreakers cruised to victory.
However, Zark's-Lyceum coach Topex Robinson appeared somewhat disturbed at their opponent's lack of effort in the second half, and stressed to his players that they need to always respect the game.
“We don’t have control on how our opponents play. We always tell the players that no matter who we’re playing, we have to play at our best every time. If the opportunity is there to score, we'll keep on scoring,” he said.
“Basketball has been good to us and the only thing we can do is to respect the game. I just told them that they’re so lucky that they’re in this team that nurtures that kind of respect for the game.”
Ken Acibar had 16 points for Mila's Lechon, which dropped to 0-4 in the conference.
The scores:
ZARK’S BURGER-LYCEUM 102 — Nzeusseu 15, Cinco 12, Jc. Marcelino 12, Perez 9, Jv. Marcelino 8, Serrano 7, Tansingco 7, Baltazar 6, Liwag 6, Marata 6, Ayaay 4, Ibañez 4, Santos 4, Caduyac 2.
MILA’S LECHON 55 — Acibar 16, Delfinado 9, Herradura 7, Ng 6, Derige 4, Iñigo 4, Parala 4, Padilla 3, Sarangay 2, Bellosillo 0, Crisostomo 0, Deles 0, Luz 0, Montuano 0.
Quarters: 25-25, 44-39, 73-47, 102-55.
(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)