A more confident Von Tambeling showed up as Tanduay crushed Batangas, 111-86, to move to solo third place in the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Tambeling scattered 28 points, five rebounds and three steals, while Lester Alvarez added 20 points, six boards, and six assists as the duo captained the Rhum Masters’ third quarter breakaway.
“[Coach] said he got me for my scoring and for my effort, so I had to do my part,” said Tambeling, who was once an upstart guard for Letran.
“We know the implications and the impact of this game to the standings,” said coach Lawrence Chongson as Tanduay improved to a 5-2 record.
In the second game, Jeffrey Javillonar found Achie Iñigo inside the paint for the go-ahead basket with 44.2 ticks left as Marinerong Pilipino slipped past Racal Motors, 72-71.
Marinero trailed by 10 points with 3:07 left but answered back with a commanding 11-0 run, including two big triples from Joseph Marata and a three-point play from Iñigo.
Iñigo led Marinero with 14 points, seven assists and five rebounds. —WITH CARLO ANOLIN AND KRISTOFER PURNELL