Not even a slow start could stop the Cignal-San Beda College HD Hawkeyes from bagging their fifth straight win, as they fended off the Tanduay Rhum Masters, 85-71, Thursday evening at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Banking on their Red Lions core, the Hawkeyes fought back from an early 17-4 deficit and chucked the lead before finally snaring a 54-48 edge after three quarters.
It was downhill spiral from there for the Rhum Masters, as Robert Bolick and Pamboy Raymundo provided the final touches in the Cignal victory.
“Again, it’s a credit to boys. They stepped up our game. We started bad but it was our second group, the San Beda boys, who really stepped up,” said coach Boyet Fernandez.
Robert Bolick led the HD Hawkeyes with 23 points, three rebounds, and three assists, while Pamboy Raymundo got 13 markers.
Javee Mocon also chipped in 10 points, five boards, and two assists to help Cignal-San Beda improved to 5-1.
“We’re happy that we got this win. We really wanted to win this to help us in our positioning at the end of the eliminations. We gave ourselves a chance to close in to that top two,” Fernandez added, as the HD Hawkeyes remained in the race for the automatic semifinal incentives.
Cignal-San Beda shot an outstanding 47 percent from the field and went 25-of-37 from the charity stripe. In comparison, Lawrence Chongson’s squad went just 36 percent from the field and attempted just 15 free throw attempts, knocking down nine.
Bong Quinto carried Tanduay (3-3) with 20 points, seven assists, and three rebounds, but committed seven turnovers in the defeat.
Cignal will look to extend their streak as they go up against bottom-dwellers Victoria Sports-MLQU on February 28, Tuesday, at 5:00 PM. Tanduay, meanwhile, will try to bounce back against Team Batangas on March 6, Monday, at 3:00 PM. Both matches will be held at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City.
The Scores:
Cignal-San Beda (85) – Bolick 23, Raymundo 13, Mocon 10, Perkins 9, Potts 9, Villarias 7, Oftana 6, Adamos 2, Arboleda 2, Bahio 2, Bringas 2, Batino 0, Cahilig 0, Tongco 0.
Tanduay (71) – Quinto 20, Sanga 9, Eguilos 8, Reyes 8, Sollano 8, Cruz 6, Raymundo 5, Santos 2, Stevens 2, Vigil 2, Moralde 1, Palma 0, Varilla 0.
Quarterscores: 11-19, 34-33, 54-48, 85-71.
