Roi Sumang of Tanduay (light) vs Glenn Khobuntin of Jumbo (dark). PBA Images/Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines — Tanduay Light vented its frustration from last conference’s disappointment on Jumbo Plastic for 79-61 win to open its 2015 PBA D-League Foundation Cup campaign on a winning note Monday at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
The Rhum Masters had four players with at least nine points with University of the East standout Roi Sumang leading the way with a game-high 17 points along with eight assists.
Aljon Mariano and Jaypee Belencion added 16 and 14, respectively, while Adrian Santos had nine points for the Rhum Masters, who just missed the quarterfinals in the previous conference due to an inferior quotient.
“Naramdaman namin yung frustration last conference kaya sa isip ng mga bata, kailangan naming bumangon (We feel frustrated last conference and the boys think we really need to bounce back),” said Tanduay head coach Lawrence Chongson.
Sumang and Belencion teamed up in the pivotal third quarter, scoring 24 of their team’s 29 points for a 63-49 lead. Mariano fired 11 points in the fourth quarter where Tanduay led by as high as 23.
The Giants shot just 31% from the field and had no player in double-digit scoring. Their defense was as poor as their offense with the Rhum Masters shooting close to 50% from the field.
Chongson downplayed his team’s big win.
“One game does not make a conference,” he said. “We caught Jumbo Plastic at a time that they still haven’t adjusted with their new players.”