Mocon shines in final frame as Cignal takes top seed with win over Racal

PBA

By Dugout Philippines

QUEZON CITY--Javee Mocon came alive in the fourth quarter, unloading eight of his 18 points to deliver Cignal-San Beda a 96-86 win over Racal Monday and take the pole position in the 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at JCSGO Gym.

The incoming fourth year forward took charge in the end game, helping the Hawkeyes fire the decisive 10-2 blast to turn a 77-74 edge to a commanding 87-76 lead with 4:17 remaining.

Mocon also hauled eight rebounds and three assists to keep Cignal’s eight-game winning streak alive and wound up with an 8-1 record.

“We just wanted to bring the positive attitude going to the semifinals,” said Coach Boyet Fernandez.

Jason Perkins paced the Hawkeyes with 25 markers, six boards, and four assists, while Pamboy Raymundo had 10 points, three rebounds, and three assists.

“It’s really the character of my players,” said Fernandez. “We were up in the first quarter, lost the lead in second, but they stepped up their game in the third and credit to them for pulling away in the fourth. It’s for my players. It’s really their effort today which really won this game.”

Jackson Corpuz got 20 points and six rebounds for the second-seed Racal (7-2), while Kent Salado got 18 markers and six boards in the loss.

Meanwhile, Tanduay and JRU clash on Tuesday at the same venue at 5 p.m. with the last twice-to-beat quarterfinal advantage hanging in the balance.

The Rhum Masters only need a victory to snare the fourth-seed, but if the Heavy Bombers do pull off the upset, they have to keep the losing margin to just four points or below.

If JRU wins by five to nine points, AMA Online Education can swoop in and gain the playoff incentive, which puts the pressure on the Kalentong-based crew to beat Tanduay by 10 points or more to gain the twice-to-beat edge.

Also-rans Blus Detergent and Victoria Sports-MLQU meet in the first game at 3 p.m.

Box Scores:

Cignal-San Beda 96-Perkins 25, Mocon 18, Raymundo 10, Bolick 9, Cahilig 8, Potts 6, Tongco 6, Villarias 4, Oftana 3, Arboleda 2, Arong 2, Batino 2, Adamos 1, Bringas 0

Racal 86-Corpuz 20, Salado 18, Dagangon 9, Gabawan 8, Onwubere 7, Mangahas 6, Gabayni 4, Terso 4, Cabrera 3, Flores 3, Gumaru 2, Nambatac 2, Capacio 0, Torres 0

Quarterscores: 31-22, 53-54, 75-72, 96-86

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