Tanduay snaps Cignal's hot streak, moves nearer to Finals return

PBA

By Dugout Philippines

MARIKINA--Ex-pros Jerwin Gaco and Mark Cruz towed Tanduay to a shocking 66-55 win over top-seed Cignal-San Beda to inch closer to a return trip to the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Finals in Game 1 of their semifinal series at the Marikina Sports Center on Tuesday night.

The two combined for 22 of the Rhum Masters’ 28-point third quarter explosion to pull away, 56-35 and silence the youthful Hawkeyes.

Gaco unloaded 16 points, seven rebounds, and two assists, while Cruz scattered 15 markers, four boards, and two dimes for the victory.

Adrian Santos also fired 11 points and eight rebounds, while Jaymo Eguilos got five markers and grabbed 12 boards to stabilize Tanduay’s defense on the high-scoring Cignal.

The win stopped the Hawkeyes’ winning streak at eight, while also dealing Coach Boyet Fernandez his first career defeat in a D-League semifinals.

Those, however, were the least of Coach Lawrence Chongson’s concerns, saying, “It’s not about cliches anymore. It’s about us needing to win for ourselves, We’ll do whatever it takes.”

Pamboy Raymundo paced Cignal with 13 points and three rebounds, while Javee Mocon had 11 markers and six boards.

Box Scores:

Tanduay 66-Gaco 16, Cruz 15, Santos 11, Palma 6, Varilla 6, Eguilos 5, Vigil 3, Alvarez 2, Quinto 2, Sanga 0, Sollano 0, Stevens 0, Villamor 0

Cignal-San Beda 55-Raymundo 13, Mocon 11, Bolick 9, Bringas 6, Perkins 6, Arong 4, Adamos 2, Arboleda 2, Tongco 2, Batino 0, Cahilig 0, Oftana 0, Potts 0, Villarias 0

Quarterscores: 11-14, 28-20, 56-35, 66-55

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