PBA IMAGES
Tanduay claimed solo second spot in the 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup with an 86-72 victory over Victoria Sports-MLQU Tuesday at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
Mark Cruz set the pace for the Rhum Masters, firing all of his 22 points in the first half on a 5-of-6 shooting from three, and registered four assists and three rebounds.
Tanduay lost hold of an 18-point lead, 39-21, in the second quarter as Aris Dionisio went to work for Victoria Sports and sliced the lead to just four, 63-59, to end the third quarter.
But the Rhum Masters woke from a slumber and went on an 11-0 blast to start the fourth and establish a 74-59 lead to run away with the win.
Raphy Reyes added 10 markers, four assists, and three boards, while Jaymo Eguilos missed out on a double-double of nine points and 10 rebounds.
“It’s how the game is. Our opponents won’t lie down and play dead,” said coach Lawrence Chongson. “For us, we just wanted to continue our progress and our buildup especially towards our next games.”
Dionisio carried the still-winless Victoria Sports (0-3) with 16 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks, while Edsel Mag-isa had 14 markers and three assists.
The Scores:
TANDUAY 86 – Cruz 22, Reyes 10, Eguilos 9, Quinto 9, Sanga 9, Santos 9, Sollano 8, Palma 5, Raymundo 3, Cenal 2, Ibay 0, Napoles 0, Varilla 0.
VICTORIA SPORTS 72 – Dionisio 16, Mag-isa 14, Nicholls 12, Lao 6, Bitoon 5, Koga 5, Grimaldo 4, Sorela 4, Herndon 3, Ragasa 3, Butron 0.
Quarters: 27-17, 53-38, 63-59, 86-72.