Games Thursday Ynares Arena, Pasig City
12 p.m. – Cagayan Valley vs AMA University
2 p.m. – MP Hotel vs Cebuana Lhuillier
4 p.m. – Liver Marin vs KeraMix
After a struggling campaign last conference, Tanduay Light coach Lawrence Chongson is keeping his fingers crossed things will be a lot better this time around.
Tanduay Light used a strong first quarter to take control and the Rhum Masters went on to rout the Jumbo Plastic Giants, 79-61, to open their campaign in the PBA D-League Foundation’s Cup on Monday at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao Quezon City.
In the second game, Mo Tautuaa made one of two free throws with 2.7 seconds remaining to lift Cebuana Lhuillier past Café France, 86-85.
Tautuaa finished with a game-high 34 points and had 13 rebounds for a double-double and his winning free throw capped huge comeback by the Gems, who trailed by as many as 21 points and by 76-84 in the last 2:46 left.
“My free throw is a like a girl. It’s got different moods. It’s on and off. But one is enough to win the game for us” said Tautuaa, who maintained he is not affected by his poor free throw shooting. “This is basketball, man. This is what I flew thousands of miles away and I’m not gonna let any pressure to get into to me.”
Simon Enciso’s 3-pointer with 16.8 seconds left tied the count at 85-85 before Cafe France threw away a crucial possession with a bad inbound pass that was intercepted by Tautuaa.
It was a tough loss for the Bakers, who appeared to have locked the win when Yutien Andrada hit back-to-back baskets for a 73-52 advantage late in the third.
Maverick Ahanmisi tallied 19 points for the Café France, but missed three of four free throws in the closing minutes that could have sealed the win for the Bakers.
Roi Sumang scored 17 points and had eight assists while providing stellar court leadership for the Rhum Masters who dominated the Giants with excellent shooting and aggressive defense that kept Jumbo Plastic from scoring easy baskets. Aljon Mariano tallied 16 on 3 of 4 shooting from 3-point range. Scores:
TANDUAY LIGHT 79 – Sumang 17, Mariano 16, Belencion 14, Santos 9, Foronda 7, Cenal 4, Escueta 4, Rono 4, Jumao-As 2, Ilagan 1, Eriobu 1, Tagarda 0, Dela Paz 0.
JUMBO PLASTIC 61 – Villamor 9, Sabellina 8, Tiongson 8, Perez 8, Khobuntin 7, Paniamogan 6, Petilos 6, Avillanosa 5, Rosales 2, Almario 2, Purdy 0.
Quarters: 21-9; 34-26; 63-49; 79-61.
CEBUANA 86 – Tautuaa 34, Corpuz 156, Torres 10, Enciso 9, J. Mangahas 4, Acibar 4, A. Mangahas 4, Zamar 3, Vosotros 2, Acosta 0, Bautista 0, Marata 0.
CAFE FRANCE 85 – Ahanmisi 19, Sedurifa 18, Nimes 10, Cortez 10, Abundo 8, Ebondo 8, Andrada 6, De Leon 4, Noble 2, Jerura 0, Miranda 0, Batino 0.
Quarters: 20-16; 32-38; 55-75; 86-85.