PBA D-League: Racal averts meltdown, holds off tough Blustar

Philip Paniamogan. PBA IMAGES

Racal clamped down on defense in the third quarter but had to pull a late escape to down Blustar Detergent, 90-83, Tuesday in the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

From a close 39-35 halftime edge, the Tile Masters limited the Dragons to a mere two points in the first seven minutes of the third frame to pull away and lead by as much as 30, 74-44, at the end of the period.

But Blustar waged back, chipping away the deficit and inching to as close as five, 86-81, with 15.4 seconds left before a calm Philip Paniamogan saved the game at the charity stripe for Racal.

“We were able to get that 30-point lead because we were trapping a lot, but our second group relaxed a bit. But I’ll take that win because a win is a win,” said coach Caloy Garcia.

Racal continued to knock on the top two placing, scoring its third straight win to sport a 7-2 card.

Paniamogan topped the Tile Masters with 20 points, while Raphael Banal wound up with 13 markers.

Jonathan Grey also netted 11 points, four assists, and three rebounds in the victory.

Kuek Tian Yuan paced the failed rally for Blustar with 22 points and 13 rebounds, while Wong Yi Hou had 14 markers and five boards.

The Scores:

RACAL 90 – Paniamogan 20, Banal 13, Grey 11, Celiz 7, Robles 7, Terso 7, Javier 6, Maiquez 6, Neypes 6, Corpuz 3, Gabawan 2, Ortuoste 2, Ambulodto 0, Lozada 0.
BLUSTAR DETERGENT 83 – Kuek 22, Wong 14, Yeo 12, Ting 11, Ma 7, Ong 6, Tiongson 5, Gan 4, Choo 2, Liaw 0, Mak 0, Teo 0, Yim 0.

Quarters: 20-19, 39-35, 74-44, 90-83.