LEO Avenido took charge in the closing seconds as Gamboa Coffee Mix pulled off a come-from-behind 85-84 win over Zark's Burger on the opening day of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup on Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The playing coach scored the last four points for the Coffee Lovers including the pair of free throws with 3.1 ticks left to go that sealed the victory.
Zark’s forward Robbie Celiz hardly had an open look and missed an off-balance shot from way beyond the arc as time expired.
"Di naman (nag-take charge talaga), napunta lang sakin yung bola," said Avenido.
The 38-year-old Avenido finished with 15 points, scoring eight in the fourth period, to go with five rebounds, two assists, and two steals in almost 17 minutes inside the court.
His presence also did wonders in the third quarter when the Coffee Lovers erased a 13-point deficit to enter the final frame trailing 66-68.
Ken Acibar topscored for Gamboa with 17 points and seven boards, while Jens Knuttel added 12 markers.
Celiz had a game-high 26 points, while no other Zark’s player finished in double figures.
The scores:
Gamboa Coffee 85 — Acibar 17, Avenido 15, Knuttel 12, Acuna 9, Sarangay 8, Padilla 7, Vidal 7, Arellano 6, Jumao-as 2, Montuano 2, Riva 0, Dadjilul 0.
Zark's 84 — Celiz 26, Cayabyab 9, Mangahas 9, Argamino 8, Sheriff 8, De Leon 6, Ferrer 6, Bautista 5, Cudal 5, Juruena 2, Nalos 0.
Quarterscores: 17-29; 34-46; 66-68; 85-84.
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