Rudy Lingganay for Tanduay. PBA IMAGES
Tanduay escaped Topstar ZC Mindanao, 84-81, Thursday in the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Rudy Lingganay lifted the Rhum Masters with three crucial freethrows in the final minute as Tanduay racked its fifth win in seven games. He paced the Rhum Masters with 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
“We’ll take it. A win is a win,” said a relieved coach Lawrence Chongson.
With the game tied at 81 in the final minute, Jeff Javillonar had a chance to put the Rhum Masters ahead but missed on a drive. Aguilas forward JR Cawaling was there to secure the rebound but sued for time with 17.3 seconds left, which earned a technical foul for excessive timeouts.
Topstar ZC Mindanao had a chance to tie the game for the final time but Robin Rono’s hail mary attempt just hit the back iron at the buzzer.
Louie Vigil finished with 14 points, uncorking 10 first period and nailing the game-tying basket at 78 with 1:17 left on the clock. He also grabbed nine boards in the win.
Snipers Val Acuna and JP Belencion also nailed five treys and combined for 21 points against the tough Aguilas crew.
“Ganun talaga. Mahirap kalaban yung ganung team na nothing to lose. At the same time, nag-pile up na rin yung pressure sa amin as seen today and sa last game namin against Blustar,” noted Chongson, referring to the 105-102 overtime win over the Dragons. “Mabuti na mangyari na yun ngayon, na we’re learning our lessons while winning. Hopefully maging eye opener ito sa amin to have that sense of urgency.”
Rono played the game of his life against his former team, tallying 22 points, five rebounds, and three assists in the close defeat for the still winless Topstar ZC Mindanao (0-6), while Cawaling also got 22 markers.
The Scores:
TANDUAY 84 – Lingganay 15, Vigil 14, Acuna 11, Belencion 10, Alolino 9, Javillonar 9, Gotladera 7, Mendoza 5, Celda 2, Santos 2, Acibar 0, Enguio 0, Stevens 0, Tagarda 0.
TOPSTAR ZC MINDANAO 81 – Cawaling 22, Rono 22, Ignacio 11, Jumao-as 10, Acosta 6, Cabrera 6, Garcia 3, Rivera 1, Argamino 0, Ongteco 0, Sarangay 0, Tano 0.
Quarters: 17-16, 37-33, 59-60, 84-81.