Racal keeps tight lock on top spot, nips Tanduay

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Racal’s reserves flexed their muscles just in time as the Tile Masters rolled to a fifth straight victory at the expense of Tanduay, 84-80, Tuesday in the 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Rey Nambatac, Allan Mangahas and Kent Salado came off the bench to fuel the Tile Masters’ strong finishing kick, enabling Racal to tighten its grip of top spot and close in on one of the two automatic semifinal berths.

Cafe France stayed hot on the heels of the Tile Masters with an 84-74 ripping of Wangs Basketball in the first game.

The Bakers leaned on Paul Desiderio and Rod Ebundo as they raised their record to 4-1 for solo second spot, while sending the Couriers to their third straight loss for a 1-3 slate.

Desiderio tallied 23 points on 5-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc, while Ebondo, the hulking Congolese center, finished with 20 points and nine boards.

Michael Calisaan also had a solid game with 18 points and nine boards for the Bakers, who started the game flat before shaking off the upset-conscious Couriers late in the third period.

“Everybody wanted to win but there was no energy and effort in the first half,” said Cafe France coach Egay Macaraya, whose team broke away from a 59-all tie. “I’m happy that we bounced back in the second half although there were still some lapses.”

The loss put to naught John Tayongtong’s 39-point performance for the Couriers, who even led, 40-42, at halftime.