D-League: Fiery Cignal drubs Tanduay

Oping Sumalinog. PBA IMAGES

Cignal HD rode a hot start and downed Tanduay, 89-63, for its first victory in the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Oping Sumalinog went on a perfect 3-of-3 shooting from rainbow country to finish with 15 points to lead the attack for the Hawkeyes.

Raymar Jose chipped in 13 markers, seven rebounds, and three assists, while Jason Perkins collected 11 points, four boards, and two assists, as Cignal bounced back from a 86-84 heartbreaker to Flying V last week.

“We’re really happy with the way the players reacted in our motivation,” said coach Boyet Fernandez. “We know we had a won game last game but we lost it and I really appreciate what the players did today. They practiced hard for the last four days and we hope that we can be very solid in terms of our teamwork.”

Down 4-0 early, the Hawkeyes strung 10 straight points and never looked back, pouncing on the new-look Rhum Masters as they extended the lead to 29, 77-48, after a Byron Villarias trey with 8:15 left.

Cignal also shot 9-of-21 from threes, while limiting the Rhum Masters to a paltry 30-percent clip from the field.

Jaymo Eguilos led Tanduay with 10 points and six rebounds, while Von Tambeling poured 10 in the defeat.

The Scores:

CIGNAL HD 89 – Sumalinog 15, Jose 13, Perkins 11, Potts 10, Bringas 8, Arong 5, Villarias 5, Batino 5, Atkins 4, Raymundo 3, Arboleda 3, Bartolo 3, Sara 2, Cahilig 2.

TANDUAY 63 – Eguilos 10, Tambeling 10, Alvarez 8, Sanga 8, Palma 7, Santos 5, Varilla 4, Vigil 4, Gaco 3, Villamor 2, Taganas 1, Sollano 1, Acidre 0.

Quarters: 30-16, 48-31, 69-46, 89-63.