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Tanduay continues to own Cafe France’s number.
Kevin Ferrer nailed the go-ahead three with 39.2 seconds to go, while Reden Celda had the game-saving block as the Rhum Masters gutted out a 75-74 thriller over the Bakers for its fourth straight win in the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Monday at Ynares Sports Arena.
“Sana lagi na lang ganun, na matatalo namin sila,” said coach Lawrence Chongson. “It’s one of those games where we got lucky. You really need to bring your A-game and a little bit of luck to beat this team.”
After Tanduay fired a 12-0 run to hold a 72-60 lead in the fourth, Cafe France answered back with a 14-0 tear of its own to grab a 74-72 lead with 49.8 seconds left in the clock.
But the debuting Ferrer had other plans, drilling a booming three from the left wing to push his team ahead as the Rhum Masters’ defense held on, capped off by Celda’s huge block in the clutch on JK Casino.
Celda caught fire for Tanduay in the payoff period, pouring nine of his 17 points in that frame alone.
“He kept us in there,” said Chongson of his playmaker. “We were down but siguro maganda ang gising nya ngayong araw.”
Ferrer’s game-winner was his lone conversion from beyond the arc in seven tries. He finished with nine markers and five rebounds.
Rudy Lingganay and Jovet Mendoza both wound up with nine points each.
Tanduay stayed in the hunt for the final two spots with its 7-3 card, closely behind Cafe France, Racal, and Phoenix which are in a three-way logjam for first at 7-2.
Mon Abundo topped the Bakers with 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Rod Ebondo had 13 markers in the defeat.
The scores:
TANDUAY 75 – Celda 17, Ferrer 9, Lingganay 9, Mendoza 9, Acuna 8, Alolino 7, Javillonar 7, Santos 5, Eguilos 2, Tagarda 2, Belencion 0, Gotladera 0, Javelona 0, Stevens 0.
CAFE FRANCE 74 – Abundo 18, Ebondo 13, Cruz 10, Opiso 8, Parala 8, Zamar 7, Jeruta 4, Casino 3, Custodio 2, Arim 1, Manlangit 0.
Quarters: 15-18, 32-38, 52-52, 75-74.