Racal tackles Tanduay, nears semis bonus

PBA

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASIG--With the PBA D-League Foundation Cup semifinalists now known, it is only the seedings that need to be resolved.

Racal, with a win on Thursday night, is now closer to a Top 2 finish.

The Tile Masters are now a victory away from taking one of the two twice-to-beat advantages in the next phase with a 90-81 drubbing of the Tanduay Rhum Masters at the Ynares Sports Arena.

With Tanduay, who clinched the last ride to the knockout stages following AMA's loss to Cafe France-CEU earlier Thursday, also eyeing the semifinal incentive, the game became a series of spurts which ended up with one last push by Racal.

The Tile Masters led by as much as 13 points, 27-14, at the end of the first quarter, but the Rhum Masters responded with a 15-2 run to start the second and took a 30-29 edge.

A 9-0 counter-rally by Racal put the team back up, 38-30, and the exchange of runs continued until a 9-3 late mini-blitz by Racal helped the team seal the win.

Jonathan Grey and Philip Paniamogan each tallied 17 markers for the Tile Masters, who can officially claim a Top 2 spot with a win against the Titans in the final day of the eliminations on Aug. 9 or a loss by the Phoenix Accelerators in at least one of their last two assignments.

Jaymo Eguilos led the Rhum Masters, whose chance for the twice-to-beat edge is now in jeopardy, with 16 points and seven rebounds.

Kevin Ferrer, the hero in Tanduay's stunning win against Cafe France on Monday night that basically put the playoff picture to shape, did not play on Thursday night.

Box Scores:

Racal 90-Grey 17, Paniamogan 17, Javier 12, Maiquez 12, Ortuoste 10, Celiz 5, Robles 5, Gabawan 4, Terso 4, Ambulodto 2, Neypes 2, Banal 0, Corpuz 0

Tanduay 81-Eguilos 16, Javillonar 14, Acuna 13, Lingganay 11, Alolino 7, Celda 7, Tagarda 6, Mendoza 5, Gotladera 2, Belencion 0, Javelona 0, Santos 0, Stevens 0

Quarterscores: 27-14, 44-37, 67-64, 90-81

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