Racal kept its immaculate record intact, outlasting Wangs Basketball, 89-84, Thursday in the 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Kent Salado scored eight of his team’s last 14 points in the final five minutes as the Tile Masters built a five-point cushion to survive the gallant challenge from the Couriers.
“I warned them not to take Wangs for granted and true enough, we had a tough time beating them,” said coach Jerry Codinera.
Salado got 10 of his 14 points in the fourth and also got two rebounds and two assists for Racal , which improved to 4-0.
Jackson Corpuz fired 14 of his 18 markers in the first half to keep the Tile Masters afloat and also registered 14 boards, three blocks, and two steals, while Sidney Onwubere got 10 points and six rebounds in the victory.
Wangs dropped its third straight game and fell to a 1-3 slate.
Rey Publico led the Couriers with 16 points and six rebounds, while Marlon Gomez had 14 markers and seven boards.
The Scores:
RACAL 89 – Corpuz 18, Salado 14, Onwubere 10, Nambatac 9, Mangahas 8, Dagangon 6, Cabrera 5, Gabayni 5, Torres 5, Gabawan 3, Terso 3, Flores 2, Gumaru 1, Apreku 0.
WANGS 84 – Publico 16, M. Gomez 14, Tambeling 13, Labing-isa 10, Brana 8, Enriquez 6, Salcedo 6, Tayongtong 5, Montuano 3, Regalado 2, C. Gomez 1, Juruena 0, King 0.
Quarters: 21-13, 43-43, 66-64, 89-84