Photos by: Kittine Mayo
Flying V got its first taste of PBA D-League action after a 75-69 win over Racal Motors in a tune-up game in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
It was the Thunder’s fourth win in four games but with all their matches are considered tune-ups, it won’t be recorded in the tournament’s win-loss standings.
Thunder head coach Eric Altamirano knew his team would be in a hell of a fight against one of the D-League’s better teams, and he was fortunate his team picked up the defensive intensity down the stretch.
“We made important stops in the fourth quarter, we attacked the basket aggressively and we scored a lot off penetetration,” said Altamirano whose team is preparing for the upcoming D-League season.
Leading the way for Flying V was star Jeron Teng, who powered his way to 25 points, 16 of which came from within the three-point arc, and Altamirano wants some of his offense to go through his forward.
“That’s the game of Jeron and we want to maximize his strengths, but of course we want to do other things.”
The Thunder held a 65-62 lead after a Mark Tallo triple cut Racal’s deficit to three midway through the fourth.
Jan Colina, however, spearheaded Flying V’s defensive stops late in the game coming away a couple of blocks in the final four minutes.
The big man’s heroics allowed the Thunder to capitalize and hold on to the lead.
Gab Banal finished with a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double for the Thunder while Colina hustled his way to six points and three blocks.
Allan Mangahas had 13 points and six rebounds to lead Racal Motors.