By Jerome Lagunzad
Another superb performance from prized wingman Jeron Teng, another impressive victory for Flying V.
The former La Salle star put on a dazzling show in the second half last night as the Thunder jolted the Tanduay Rhum Masters, 104-89, and sustained their imperious charge in the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The 6-foot-2 Teng fired 19 of his game-high 30 points in the second half, 11 of them coming in the third canto where he sparked Flying V’s decisive breakaway that turned what started a tight match into a cruising finish.
“I really didn’t expect it to be a lopsided game. I told them it’s gonna be a dogfight in the second half. But were able to limit them and then Jeron exploded,” said Flying V coach Eric Altamirano, left impressed with Teng’s all-around outing spiked by nine boards and four dimes.
Tanduay guard Lester Alvarez collected 23 points and seven assists while three other teammates scored in double figures but the Rhum Masters still failed to hold their ground against the Teng-led Thunder charge, putting an end to their three-game winning run and dropping to a fifth spot with a 3-2 card.
Earlier, Cignal HD showed steely nerves down the stretch to survive Batangas in a thrilling finish, 70-66.
First Game:
CIGNAL HD 70 – Perkins 15, Sumalinog 15, Arboleda 8, Jose 8, Villarias 8, Atkins 6, Bringas 4, Raymundo 4, Batino 2, Arong 0, Cahilig 0, Sara 0.
BATANGAS 66 – Isit 14, Bautista 9, Saitanan 9, Sedurifa 8, De Joya 7, Ablaza 6, Forrester 5, Laude 5, Ragasa 2, Dela Pena 1, Anderson 0, Mangabang 0, Mendoza 0, Napoles 0.
Quarters: 14-15, 34-33, 55-49, 70-66.
Second Game:
FLYING V 104 – Teng 30, Torres 18, Salamat 14, Thiele 14, Dionisio 9, Paredes 8, Banal 8, Webb 2, Cabahug 1, Cañada 0, Colina 0, Tampus 0, Austria 0.
TANDUAY 89 – Alvarez 23, Gaco 15, Santos 10, Tambeling 10, Vigil 8, Palma 6, Varilla 6, Terso 3, Sollano 3, Taganas 3, Martinez 2, Eguilos 0, Sanga 0.
Quarters: 26-17, 44-45, 80-66, 104-89.
