Gunslinger Kevin Ferrer, ever since his collegiate days, has always had the knack for the big shot.
Having misfired all game long, the debuting Rhum Masters forward drilled the game-winning triple as Tanduay once again kept at bay the defending champions Café France Bakers, 75-74, for their fourth straight win in the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup, Monday evening at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Ferrer drained the booming three from the left wing and gave his side the marginal victory with 39.2 seconds left in the clock, as the Rhum Masters defense held their own, with Reden Celda saving the game with a huge block on JK Casino.
“Sana lagi na lang ganun, na matatalo namin sila,” said an ecstatic coach Lawrence Chongson.
Celda waxed hot in the fourth, nailing nine of his 17 points in the payoff period alone.
“He kept us in there,” Chongson said about the former NU Bulldog. “We were down but siguro maganda ang gising nya ngayong araw.”
Ferrer also finished with nine markers and five rebounds, while Rudy Lingganay and Jovet Mendoza combined for 18.
Tanduay seemed to have secured the win after a 12-0 run gave them a 72-60 lead with 3:25 remaining. But Café France fought back with a blistering 14-0 tear to hold a 74-72 lead with 49.8 seconds left. That was when Ferrer made his mark and played the role of the hero for the Rhum Masters.
Prior to that rainbow, the former King Tiger had been 0-for-6 from beyond the arc.
“It’s one of those games where we got lucky,” the mentor reflected about the shot. “You really need to bring your A-game and a little bit of luck to beat Cafe France.”
Tanduay kept themselves in step for the top two spots with their 7-3 card, trailing Cafe France, Racal, and Phoenix, who are in a three-way tie for first at 7-2.
Mon Abundo paced the Bakers with 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Rod Ebondo got 13 markers in the defeat.
The Scores:
Tanduay (75) – Celda 17, Ferrer 9, Lingganay 9, Mendoza 9, Acuna 8, Alolino 7, Javillonar 7, Santos 5, Eguilos 2, Tagarda 2, Belencion 0, Gotladera 0, Javelona 0, Stevens 0.
Cafe France (74) – Abundo 18, Ebondo 13, Cruz 10, Opiso 8, Parala 8, Zamar 7, Jeruta 4, Casino 3, Custodio 2, Arim 1, Manlangit 0.
Quarterscores: 15-18, 32-38, 52-52, 75-74.
