Racal nails outright semis slot

Rey Nambatac. PBA IMAGES

Rey Nambatac came up with the big plays in the end game as Racal tripped Cafe France, 82-78, to clinch an outright semifinal berth in the 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The Letran guard fired eight of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, including a huge trey and the go-ahead assist to Jackson Corpuz with 59.2 seconds left.

The win gave the Tile Masters a share of the top spot with idle Cignal at 7-1 and a sure seat in the top two.

“I’m glad that we were able to beat them,” said Racal coach Jerry Codiñera. “They’re really a  matchup nightmare for us.”

Tanduay, meanwhile, boosted its own bid for the quarterfinal bonus after blasting Blustar Detergent, 78-60.

Mark Cruz caught fire early as the diminutive playmaker unloaded 11 of his 17 points in the first quarter to help the Rhum Masters set the tone for the rout.

“We know the scenario,” said coach Lawrence Chongson after his Rhum Master inched closer to securing the twice-to-beat quarterfinal incentive with a 5-3 record.

“How we’re going to perform or show up [in the upcoming games] is another story.”