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Racal notched its third straight victory after repulsing Batangas, 91-78, Tuesday in the 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
Sidney Onwubere got going on offense, firing 18 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals to keep the Tile Masters on top of the standings.
Kent Salado chimed in 17 markers, six assists, and three boards, while Jackson Corpuz unloaded seven of his 14 points in the second quarter pullaway.
“It’s our defense which made the big difference for us,” said Racal coach Jerry Codinera. “We had a slow start, but we remained aggressive in the second quarter and eventually, we’re able to pull away.”
Corpuz anchored the Tile Masters’ 17-0 blast to break away and take a 40-26 lead.
Racal extend its lead to 25, 79-54, before Batangas trimmed the deficit to just 13, 88-75 with a Wilmar Anderson basket with 1:48 to play. Salado, however, would end that run with an undergoal stab to seal the game for good.
Joseph Sedurifa topped Batangas (1-3) with 20 points and six rebounds, while Anderson and Dan Sara got 12 markers apiece.
The scores:
RACAL 91 – Onwubere 18, Salado 17, Corpuz 14, Terso 9, Nambatac 7, Cabrera 6, Mangahas 6, Torres 5, Gabayni 3, Flores 2, Gumaru 2, Apreku 1, Gabawan 1, Dagangon 0.
BATANGAS 78 – Sedurifa 20, Anderson 12, Sara 12, Dela Pena 10, Lascano 6, De Joya 5, Laude 5, Delfinado 3, Fortu 3, Revadavia 2, Ablaza 0, Magbuhos 0, Mendoza 0.
Quarters: 20-17, 43-30, 73-51, 91-78.