Cignal shuts down Racal in D-League Finals rematch

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Cignal HD continued to own Racal Motors’ number, fending off its rival, 93-75, Tuesday in the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

In their meeting since the Aspirants’ Cup Finals, the Hawkeyes held off in the Alibaba’s assault in the payoff period after squandering as lead as high as 23, 59-36, in the third frame.

“I’m happy that we won this one. Still, I hate the way we played in the third quarter and it seemed like we didn’t know how to play basketball, with us giving up so many points and so many turnovers,” said coach Boyet Fernandez, whose team imposed their presence early for a 21-point advantage, 42-21, in the second period.

“But as bad as we played in the third, credit to them in the fourth quarter because we looked like a different team.”

Rian Ayonayon cut the deficit for Racal to as low as six, 72-66, with 6:16 to go, but Cignal unloaded four triples in its 16-3 killer windup to erect an 88-69 edge with 2:38 remaining in the game.

Davon Potts capped off his PBA D-League stint with 15 points, three assists, and two rebounds, while Jason Perkins added 14 markers and four boards.

Pamboy Raymundo nabbed a double-double with his 10 points, 10 assists and four rebounds, while Raymar Jose also tallied the same with 10 markers and 11 boards.

Alfred Batino got all of his 12 points in the first half, on top of five rebounds, and Oping Sumalinog got 11 markers and five boards in the all-out assault for the Hawkeyes.

Fernandez lauded his Cignal’s fortitude in competing in as killer stretch with seven games in 10 playdates, as it came out with a 5-2 slate.

“Seven games in three weeks is tough, but credit to my boys for that,” he said. “We just have to be consistent and not be complacent in our coming games.”

Ayonayon was the lone bright spot for the Alibaba with 26 points and eight rebounds, as Racal dropped its first game of the tourney and fell down to a 2-1 record.

The Scores:

CIGNAL HD 93 – Potts 15, Perkins 14, Batino 12, Sumalinog 11, Jose 10, Raymundo 10, Cahilig 7, Arboleda 6, Villarias 6, Bringas 2, Atkins 0, Bartolo 0.

RACAL MOTORS 75 – Ayonayon 26, Dela Cruz 8, Salado 7, Cortez 6, Apreku 5, Cabrera 5, Faundo 5, Abrigo 4, Ortuoste 4, Tallo 3, Mangahas 2, Bulawan 0, Capacio 0, Lozada 0.

Quarters: 26-11, 49-34, 66-60, 93-75.