PBA D-League: Racal smears Phoenix’s clean slate for share of 3rd

Racal’s Jamil Ortuoste. PBA IMAGES

Racal doused Phoenix’s blazing start and dealt the Aspirants’ Cup champion its first defeat, 93-78, Thursday in the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Engaged in a nip-and-tuck battle for the first three quarters, the Tile Masters rattled the Accelerators in the payoff period with a 19-5 run for a decisive 92-76 lead with 1:16 left on the clock en route to ending Phoenix’s five-game winning run.

Jamil Ortuoste showed the way for Racal with 20 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while
Jonathan Grey got 19 markers.

Robby Celiz also had 11 points, three boards, and three dimes, while Dexter Maiquez almost had a double-double with nine markers and 14 rebounds in the win.

“I just told the players we’re going to shorten out rotation because the only way to beat Phoenix is to run with them the whole time and siguro napagod sila eventually,” said coach Caloy Garcia.

The win pulled Racal to a share of third place with Tanduay with identical 5-2 records, as the race to the top two heats up before the league takes a break for the 2016 Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

“We’re trying to make it to the top two,” said Garcia. “We just have to look at second round and take it the same way.”

Mac Belo paced Phoenix (5-1) with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Roger Pogoy had 16 markers in the defeat.

The Scores:

RACAL 93 – Ortuoste 20, Grey 19, Celiz 11, Maiquez 9, Robles 9, Javier 8, Corpuz 6, Paniamogan 5, Gabawan 4, Banal 2, Neypes 0, Terso 0.
PHOENIX 78 – Belo 22, Pogoy 16, Tolomia 13, Daquioag 5, Andrada 4, Batino 4, Escoto 4, Jamito 4, Mendoza 4, Knuttel 2, Inigo 0, Tamsi 0.

Quarters: 29-22, 40-38, 65-64, 93-78.