PBA D-League: Wangs upsets AMA, halts 5-game skid

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Wangs Basketball snapped a five-game losing skid after holding off AMA Online Education, 98-93, Monday in the 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.

Von Tambeling topped the Couriers with 21 points on 5-of-8 shooting from threes, to go along with seven rebounds, four assists and three steals while Rey Publico added a double-double of 18 markers, eight coming in the fourth, and 11 boards.

John Tayongtong got 16 points and five rebounds, Marlon Gomez had 16 markers, and Mark Montuano poured 14 as the team dedicated the win to team owner and birthday celebrant Alexander Wang.

The Couriers squandered an early 15-point lead, 46-31, in the second quarter as the Titans fought back and even tied the game at 78 in the fourth quarter.

Wangs, however, went on a 9-0 blast to erect an 87-78 lead with Tayongtong, Publico, and Gomez all chipping in to preserve the lead.

“We had lots of lessons learned,” said coach Pablo Lucas, looking back on his side’s 97-96 collapse to Batangas last Tuesday. “This time, we really made sure that we won’t make the same mistakes.”

Wangs also spoiled the return of Jeron Teng to AMA, after his week-long stint with Mighty Sports in Dubai.

Teng topped his crew with 25 points and seven rebounds, but committed six turnovers.

Juami Tiongson also had 21 markers, two boards, and two assists, while Jay-R Taganas had 14 points and 18 rebounds in the loss, which halted AMA’s three-game winning streak.

The scores:

WANGS 98 – Tambeling 21, Publico 18, M. Gomez 16, Tayongtong 16, Montuano 14, Regalado 8, Labing-isa 5, Brana 0, Enriquez 0, King 0, Salcedo 0.

AMA 93 – Teng 25, Tiongson 21, Arambulo 14, Taganas 14, Alabanza 12, Riley 5, Flores 2, Baluyot 0, Barua 0, Bragais 0, Jordan 0, Tobias 0.

Quarters: 26-20, 52-44, 76-73, 98-93.