PBA D-League: Abundo’s ‘lucky’ three lifts Cafe France over Tanduay Light

Mon Abundo of Cafe France (dark) vs Roi Sumang of Tanduay (light). PBA Images/Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — Mon Abundo’s lone basket proved to be the biggest of the game.

Abundo banked in the game-clinching triple and Cafe France salvaged a 68-62 squeaker over Tanduay Light in the 2015 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Monday at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao.

“Mon Abundo saved the game but it was a lucky shot,” said Cafe France head coach Egay Macaraya, whose squad blew a 15-point lead and was scrambling down the stretch.

With the shot clock running out and the Rhum Masters breathing down their necks, Abundo bailed out the Bakers with 10.6 seconds left.

He was 0-of-8 from the field and had missed his first four attempts from long range before his clutch shot.

The Bakers were still ahead by nine, 65-56, with 2:58 left after five unanswered points by Maverick Ahanmisi but the Rhum Masters rallied and a drive by Aljon Mariano cut it to three, 65-62, with still 1:42 remaining.

Mariano, who was the only Tanduay player in double-digit scoring with a game-high 22 points, had a chance to tie the game but his 3-pointer with under 40 seconds to go hit nothing.

Starting guard Ahanmisi led Cafe France with 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Tanduay lost its star guard Roi Sumang to an injury in the crucial stage of the game. Sumang hurt his right ankle at the 4:18 mark of the fourth quarter with his team trailing, 60-54, and did not return.