PBA D-League: Rhum Masters shake off Titans late surge

Tanduay fended off a late surge from AMA Online Education and came away with a 72-66 victory Thursday in the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Rudy Lingganay showed the way for the Rhum Masters with 12 points and three rebounds, while Jaypee Belencion added 10 markers.

“Ganun talaga. Yung character talaga ng team yung bagay na talagang tinututukan ko. May tendency talaga yung mga bata na mag-relax. Lumalaban sila sa level of competition ng kalaban, and sooner or later, pagbabayaran namin yan,” said coach Lawrence Chongson. “Kailangan talaga martilyuhin sa ulo para matandaan nila na bawal mag-relax.”

Tanduay’s 29-point third quarter explosion was enough cushion to hold the Titans’ uprising, as the Rhum Masters saw their 20-point lead in the third frame dwindle down to as low as six late.

“Hindi naman AMA lagi ang kalaban namin. Kung ganun ang ilalaro namin, matatalo kami. Pero kung ganun ang lalabas sa Tuesday, we may be able to give Phoenix a good fight,” Chongson said.

Jaycee Asuncion and Gene Belleza topped AMA with 18 points each.

The Scores:

TANDUAY 72 – Lingganay 12, Belencion 10, Celda 8, Javillonar 7, Mendoza 7, Santos 7, Vigil 6, Alolino 4, Tagarda 4, Acibar 3, Acuna 2, Gotladera 2, Cenal 0, Stevens 0.
AMA 66 – Asuncion 18, Belleza 18, Publico 8, Bragais 5, Jordan 5, Jo. Montemayor 4, Ragasa 4, Arambulo 2, Je. Montemayor 2, Calma 0, Dizon 0, Macaranas 0, Magpantay 0, Olivares 0.

Quarters: 13-15, 33-29, 62-42, 72-66.