PBA IMAGES
Batangas pulled off the biggest heist of the 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup so far, coming back from 22-points down to pull off a pulsating 97-96 victory over Wangs Basketball Tuesday at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
Down 92-70 early in the fourth, Cedrick de Joya and Joseph Sedurifa showed the way for the Batanguenos, finished the game on a 27-4 blast, with Yutien Andrada capping off the momentous fightback with the go-ahead tip with 11.9 seconds left.
“At halftime, I challenged the players and asked them if they didn’t have pride. I told them to find a way and it’s a good thing that we were rewarded with this,” said coach Eric Gonzales, whose side snapped a two-game slide to improve to 2-4.
De Joya fired 10 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and got five rebounds, while Sedurifa had 13 of his 18 markers in the payoff period alongside 11 boards and seven assists.
Andrada also ended up with 13 points and 11 rebounds in his first game with Batangas, while Raymond Inciong and Jhygrus Laude both had 10.
It was a sorry defeat for Wangs, which spoiled Von Tambeling’s scorching first half that gave them a 59-37 halftime lead.
Tambeling led the Couriers with 21 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Rey Publico and John Tayongtong both finished with 15.
Wangs dropped to a 1-5 slate.
The Scores:
BATANGAS 97 – De Joya 19, Sedurifa 18, Andrada 13, Inciong 10, Laude 10, Sara 7, Isit 5, Lascano 5, Ablaza 4, Dela Pena 3, Mangabang 3, Ada 0, Anderson 0, Fortu 0.
WANGS 96 – Tambeling 21, Publico 15, Tayongtong 15, Regalado 13, Montuano 12, M. Gomez 10, Labing-isa 5, King 3, Brana 2, Enriquez 0, Salcedo 0.
Quarters: 22-23, 37-59, 62-82, 97-96.