Racal shuts down Gamboa in second half to snap skid

PBA

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Racal witnessed Tanduay shatter the PBA D-League record for most points scored in a game the team previously held earlier Monday.

But that did not stop the Alibaba from continuing to update the history books.

Racal limited Gamboa to an all-time low 13 second half points and posted a 107-60 win at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

On the verge of ending up at the wrong side of an upset by halftime, the Alibaba put up a defensive performance to remember after the intermission, only giving up three Coffee Lovers points, an all-time low for a single quarter, to turn a 45-47 deficit to a 71-50 rout in the making. The Alibaba would only give up 10 points from the Coffee Lovers in the payoff period to seal the historic shutdown.

“It gives us a lot of positivity and we'll build on that,” said Coach Jerry Codiñera, whose Racal side snapped an uncharacteristic three-game losing streak.

Rian Ayonayon once again paced Racal with 26 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and five steals, while Mac Tallo added 16 points, making all his 10 free throws, two rebounds and two assists for the Alibaba.

Mark Montuano tallied 13 markers and 10 caroms for the Coffee Lovers, which fell to 1-6.

Box Scores:

Racal 107-Ayonayon 26, Tallo 16, Cortes 11, Apreku 11, Pontejos 10, Gomez 8, Capacio 7, Grimaldo 6, Faundo 5, Lozada 5, Ortuoste 2, Mangahas 0, Dela Cruz 0, Cabrera 0

Gamboa 60-Montuano 13, Parala 12, Avenido 10, Padilla 8, Acibar 7, Arellano 4, Acuña 3, Knuttel 2, Dadjilul 1, David 0, Riva 0, Vidal 0, Jumao-as 0

Quarterscores: 24-20, 45-47, 71-50, 107-60

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno