Veteran Tanduay schools CEU in D-League

Games Thursday

(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig)

10 a.m. - Zark’s Burger vs Racal

12 p.m. - Marinerong Pilipino vs Cignal HD

MANILA, Philippines — Tanduay implored its veteran know-hows and blasted the upstart Centro Escolar University, 75-60, Tuesday in the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Lester Alvarez showed the way for the Rhum Masters with 16 points and five assists, while Adrian Santos had a near double-double of 16 markers and nine rebounds in the win.

Paul Varilla also had 11 points and five boards for Tanduay.

Much to the glee of coach Lawrence Chongson, he feels that his team is finally meeting his expectations after a disastrous 89-63 loss to Cignal HD last Thursday.

“I got a team na puro veterans so they need to step up talaga. I feel doon kami nagkulang sa game namin against Cignal kasi hindi nagdeliver yung mga veterans ko. Hopefully, yung pagkatalo sa namin sa Cignal will be a blessing in disguise. Ginulpi nila kami at lahat ng hiya namin, tinanggal nila,” he said. “Hopefully, yun ang maging battlecry namin.

The Rhum Masters finally broke off in the third quarter, using a 30-point outburst to finally grab a commanding 60-42 lead.

Rod Ebondo and JK Casiño kept the Scorpions in the running as the duo trimmed the deficit to 11, 67-56, with 3:19 left, but Emil Palma, Santos, and Alvarez staved off the uprising late to seal the deal for Tanduay.

Ebondo led CEU (0-2) with 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Casiño got 11 markers and three assists in the loss.

In the first game, Cedric de Joya drilled the game-winning banker to carry Batangas to an 81-79 thriller over Wangs Basketball.

The 5-foot-5 playmaker emerged as the hero for the Batangueños after they squandered a 13-point lead, 65-52, in the fourth period and allowed Robbie Herndon to tie the score at 79 with a killer three in the final 4.6 seconds.

De Joya went coast-to-coast in the waning seconds and banked his floater at the buzzer to keep Batangas at the top of the heap at 2-0.

“Ang nakakatuwa sa kanya, common sense na yun eh. Ginawa nya kung ano yung dapat gawin at ni-reward naman yun,” said coach Eric Gonzales of his diminutive guard.

De Joya scattered 14 points, three assists and two rebounds in the huge win for the Batangueños.

Joseph Sedurifa topscored with 25 markers, five boards, three dimes and two blocks, while Jessie Saitanan got 10 points and three rebounds for Batangas.

Wangs, meanwhile, suffered its first loss in the tourney despite Herndon’s herculean effort of 27 points, 14 rebounds, and three steals.

Michole Sorela chimed in 13 markers and eight boards, while Tim Habelito nabbed a double-double of 11 points and 17 rebounds in the loss

The scores:

First Game:

BATANGAS 81 - Sedurifa 25, De Joya 14, Saitanan 10, Ablaza 9, Ragasa 9, Bautista 8, Mendoza 5, Dela Peña 1, Anderson 0, Laude 0, Isit 0, Napoles 0.

WANGS BASKETBALL 79 - Herndon 27, Sorela 13, Habelito 11, Arambulo 6, Juico 5, Riley 4, Asuncion 3, De Chavez 3, King 3, Ambuludto 2, Montemayor 2, Importante 0.

Quarters: 14-23, 41-39, 63-52, 81-79.

Second Game:

TANDUAY 75 - Alvarez 16, Santos 16, Varilla 11, Taganas 8, Vigil 6, Palma 6, Terso 5, Eguilos 3, Sollano 2, Tambeling 2.

CEU 60 - Ebondo 20, Casiño 11, Manlangit 8, Wamar 7, Cruz 5, Aquino 4, Uri 3, Guinitaran 2, Jeruta 0, Intic 0, Arim 0, Saber 0, Baconcon 0.

Quarters: 13-12, 30-28, 60-42, 75-60.