Facing a fellow PBA D-League team for the first time, the Flying V Thunder used a solid second half to turn back the Racal Tile Masters, 75-69, to take another win in the tuneup series, Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Jeron Teng bounced back from a dismal performance in their latest match against the Perpetual Altas last Sunday and finished with 25 points and six rebounds to lead the hosts.
Head coach Eric Altamirano admitted that his team is a work in progress and was slow to adjust to the officiating in the first half. “We’re still adjusting, especially sa calls ng referees kasi we he D-League referees,” he said.
“In the first half we were really affected, especially in the second quarter, we got into penalty early. It caught us off guard and nawala yung momentum namin,” the former national youth team mentor stressed.
The Tile Masters flipped a six-point deficit into a two-point advantage at the half thanks to the impressive showing of Jason Grimaldo.
Nonetheless, Teng led the charge for a Thunder comeback after more than doubling his first-half output. Altamirano also praised his wards’ defense in the turnaround, limiting the opponents to 28 points.
“I felt we did a better job in the third quarter. We limited them in the third quarter,” the experienced tactician said. “And I think it came down to possessions in the fourth.”
Former Mapua stalwart Allan Mangahas finished with 13 points and six rebounds to pace Racal.
Teng and the Flying V Thunder will face De La Salle University on Sunday, May 21.
The Scores:
Flying V (75) – Teng 25, Banal 10, Salamat 8, Ongteco 8, Colina 6, Torres 4, Tampus 4, Webb 4, Thiele 4, Mendoza 2, Cañada 0.
Racal (69) – Mangahas 13, Grimaldo 9, Dela Cruz 8, Ayon Ayon 7, Cabrera 7, Apreku 5, Tallo 5, Gumaru 4, Lozada 3, Ortoustre 3, Cortes 3, Capacio 2, Oktubre 0, Bulawan 0.
Quarterscores: 23-17, 39-41, 59-55, 75-69.
