Streaking Rhum Masters halt Bakers’ run
PBA IMAGES
Tanduay Rhum brought down the hottest team to crash into the top four for the first time in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Monday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Poised in the endgame, the Rhum Masters dealt Cafe France’s first loss in a stunning 79-74 decision that stretched their surprising winning streak to four games after a 0-2 start.
“It’s one obstacle that we prepared for,” said coach Lawrence Chongson as his Rhum Masters strengthened their bid for the twice-to-beat quarterfinal edge, the incentive given to the top four at the end of the elimination round.
“Resiliency was what we had. We know what’s at stake. One loss and we might kiss our top four dream goodbye.”
The Rhum Masters snapped the Bakers’ five-game run with Reden Celda firing 12 points and newly activated Val Acuña making a quick impact by draining five of his 10 points in the final quarter, including the go-ahead layup for a 71-70 lead at the 2:01 mark.
Unlike the Bakers, Phoenix-Far Eastern University managed to pull away late in the game for a 90-74 win over BDO-National U.
After three tight quarters, the Accelerators dropped a 19-2 bomb at the start of the fourth to turn a 63-61 edge into a 19-point spread, 82-63.
The scores:
First Game
PHOENIX-FEU 90—Tolomia 25, Belo 19, Jose 14, Tamsi 11, Pogoy 7, Ri. Escoto 6, Ru. Escoto 5, Iñigo 3, Dennison 0, Elmejrab 0, Mendoza 0, Lee Yu 0.
BDO-NU 74—Alejandro 20, Aroga 19, Labing-isa 14, Javelona 8, Salem 7, Salim 4, Yu 2, Diputado 0, Perez 0, Rono 0, Tansingco 0.
Quarters: 17-17, 42-40, 63-61, 90-74
Second Game
TANDUAY 79—Celda 12, Acuña 10, Belencion 10, Llagas 9, Wetherell 9, Santos 8, Javillonar 7, Lingganay 6, Pessumal 4, Eriobu 2, Tagarda 2, Belleza 0, Gotladera 0.
CAFE FRANCE 74—Cruz 15, Ebondo 14, Zamar 13, Opiso 8, Jeruta 6, Villahermosa 6, Abundo 5, De Leon 3, Anunciacion 2, Manlangit 2, Arim 0, Casino 0.
Quarters: 22-24, 39-44, 52-57, 79-74
