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Flying V leaned on its supporting cast and escaped with a 94-86 triumph over Racal Motors to stay unbeaten through five games in the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Monday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
With Jeron Teng misfiring from the field, coach Eric Altamirano drew significant contributions from Gab Banal and Aris Dionisio down the stretch as the Thunder recovered just in time.
“Our first group struggled today, but it’s a good thing that our second group stepped up,” said coach Eric Altamirano. “We made some stops at the end, but the problem is still the same, we’re very inconsistent.”
Banal carried Flying V with 17 points, 11 coming in the payoff period, on 3-of-6 shooting from threes, on top of six rebounds and two steals, while Dionisio scored nine of his 13 markers in the fourth and hauled down seven boards.
Thomas Torres also added 17 points, two rebounds, and two dimes, to aid the off-shooting Teng, who still finished with 11 markers, but shot 4-of-18 from the field.
With Racal making a huge run and taking a 70-67 lead with 8:41 left to play, Banal and Dionisio conspired for a 10-0 blast to restore the Thunder lead to seven, 77-70 with 5:13 left to play and made huge stops to hold off the Alibaba.
Rian Ayonayon went for 28 points and nine rebounds for the skidding Racal Motors (2-3), which has now lost its last three games.
Gwynne Capacio, Jamil Ortuoste, and Mac Tallo all had 10 in the defeat.
The scores:
FLYING V 94 – Banal 17, Torres 17, Dionisio 13, Teng 11, Cañada 11, Thiele 10, Salamat 8, Tampus 4, Webb 3, Ongteco 0, Colina 0.
RACAL MOTORS 86 – Ayonayon 28, Capacio 10, Ortuoste 10, Tallo 10, Gomez 9, Pontejos 9, Grimaldo 6, Apreku 2, Faundo 2, Mangahas 0, Dela Cruz 0, Cortes 0, Lozada 0.
Quarters: 25-28, 46-44, 67-64, 94-86.