PBA D-League: Sumang rises for Tanduay as Wangs go limp in end-game

Roi Sumang of Tanduay (dark) vs Ezer Rosopa of Wangs (light). NUKI SABIO/PBA

MANILA, Philippines–An extra period was needed but one man would end it.

Roi Sumang came up big in the clutch as his Tanduay Rhum Masters upended Wangs Basketball, 77-73, during their matchup in the PBA D-League at the Ynares Sports Arena Thursday evening.

With half a minute remaining, Sumang drove from the left wing onto the futile defense of Jeff Morillo and knocked down a pump layup that put Tanduay up 73-71.

Sumang then would hit the bonus free throw, 74-71, as Morillo returned to the benches after committing his sixth foul.

Tanduay head coach Lawrence Chongson said if that kind of game was the way to go, he doesn’t have a choice but take it.

“If we have to go through the eye of a needle we will,” Chongson said as his team snapped a four-game losing streak and improve to a 2-4 win-loss card.

“We need to strengthen the character of our players.”

Mark Mendoza, after Sumang’s and-one play, responded with a layup that put the boards at 74-73 but it would be the Tanduay guard who carried the dagger in the end game.

Sumang, who scored the Masters’ final six points, sealed the deal for Tanduay with a timely steal on John Pontejos with 10 seconds remaining and iced two free throws that solidified the final score.

It was one of those well-rounded nights for Sumang as he finished with 20 points to go along with five assists and three steals.

Gab Banal also had 20 points for the Masters with Edwin Escueta adding 15.

John Ferrer led Wangs with 15 points with Mark Acosta and Morillo contributing 13 and 11 points, respectively, as they fall to 2-3.

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