PASIG—Kent Salado became only the third player to register a triple-double as Racal Motors re-wrote history with a record-setting 140-90 blowout of Zark’s Burger, Thursday in the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena.
The speedy playmaker did it all for the Alibaba as he registered 11 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds in the victory, joining the ranks of BDO-NU’s Bobby Ray Parks and Phoenix’s Mike Tolomia as the only players to achieve the rare feat.
Racal’s 140 points also became the new PBA D-League record for most points scored, erasing the previous record set by Tanduay in its 133-78 clobbering of Topstar ZC Mindanao Aguilas in last season’s Foundation Cup on July 19, 2016.
“Syempre ang laking achievement nito sa Racal team. I’m happy for them. Maganda yung ganito kasi nakikita na they can score. Depensa na lang ang patitibayin namin,” said coach Jerry Codiñera.
The two teams also combined for the most points in a PBA D-League game at 230, as well as for most bench points scored at 87.
Mac Tallo topped the Alibaba with 26 markers, five assists, three rebounds, while Gwynne Capacio chipped in 23 points.
Roider Cabrera also poured 17 markers built on three treys, while Rian Ayonayon had 13 points, four dimes, and three rebounds.
Racal unleashed its fury early, jumping to a 38-20 first quarter lead and kept its foot on the gas pedal, ballooning the lead to as high as 54, 140-86, late in the game.
It was a complete domination for the Alibaba as they controlled the boards, 62-35, and gladly shared the rock which led to their 36 assists in the game.
“Di kami complacent kahit na bago yung team na kalaban namin. Sabi ko sa kanila kanina, just be ready sa mga scorers nila because we want to have a good start. Nag-jell na rin kami kahit paano, and nade-develop na kahit paano yung chemistry habang nanalo.”
Robby Celiz carried the still winless Zark’s Burger (0-3) with 28 points, five assists, and four rebounds, while Clark Bautista fired 17 markers in the loss.
In the second game, JR Alabanza defended the fort for Marinerong Pilipino as it stunned Cignal HD, 66-65.
The 6-foot-5 big man was the difference-maker for the Skippers in the fourth period as he stopped a pair of drives from Jason Perkins, the last of which being the game-saving block to give his side their first win in the tourney.
“Everything happens for a reason. Maybe, we needed to learn how to win in the defensive end,” said coach Koy Banal.
Marinerong Pilipino almost squandered its chance to escape with a victory twice, the first after Oping Sumalinog intercepted Achie Iñigo’s crosscourt pass, while the next after Harold Arboleda stole Dave Moralde’s inbound pass.
Luckily, Alabanza was there to thwart the Hawkeyes’ late charges as he denied Perkins’ attempts to seal the victory for his side.
He dropped six points and five rebounds, but more importantly, blocked seven shots for Marinerong Pilipino in the colossal upset.
Mark Isip led the Skippers with 15 markers and six rebounds before fouling out with 1:33 left to play, while Iñigo nabbed a double-double of 13 points and 10 boards in the win.
“We wanted to compete until the end,” said Banal. “Marami kaming veterans who stepped up today and reminded the team that we needed to compete.”
Perkins topped Cignal (2-2) 15 points and eight rebounds, while Raymar Jose got 11 markers and 14 boards in the losing effort.
Box Scores:
First Game:
Racal 140-Tallo 26, Capacio 23, Cabrera 17, Ayonayon 13, Abrigo 11, Mangahas 11. Salado 11, Lozada 8, Apreku 7, Grimaldo 6, Faundo 4, Cortez 2, Bulawan 1, Dela Cruz 0
Zark's 90-Celiz 28, Bautista 17, De Leon 13, Nalos 10, Juruena 6, Mangahas 6, Cudal 4, Cayabyab 3, Sheriff 2, Ferrer 1, Argamino 0
Quarterscores: 38-20, 66-43, 104-66, 140-90.
Second Game:
Marinerong Pilipino 66-Isip 15, Iñigo 13, Marata 11, Moralde 10, Alabanza 6, Lopez 5, Javelona 3, Publico 2, Sargent 1, Nicholls 0, Javillonar 0, Gumaru 0
Cignal 65-Perkins 15, Jose 11, Sumalinog 11, Batino 6, Raymundo 5, Arong 4, Potts 3, Sara 3, Arboleda 3, Villarias 2, Bringas 2, Cahilig 0, Atkins 0