It was a day of upsets on Monday in the 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.
After the Wangs Basketball Couriers had stunned the AMA Online Education Titans, the young Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers dealt the Racal Tile Masters their first defeat of the conference, 77-75, Monday evening at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City.
Paolo Pontejos and Tey Teodoro combined for 17 points in the payoff period to frustrate the Tile Masters and send them to their first defeat in six games.
Rey Nambatac wasted Racal’s final chance as he threw the ball to the referee with 0.4 ticks left.
“We know how strong Racal is. We kept on pushing, kept on fighting, and I told them to be ready,” said coach Vergel Meneses, as JRU ended their three-game tailspin and leveled their standing at 3-3.
“Victoria got their first win against us, so I think it’s just right that we deal Racal its first loss.”
Teodoro poured seven of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, while Pontejos got 10 of his 16 markers in the same frame, as the latter also chipped in six assists and four boards.
John Ambulodto also tallied 12 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks for JRU.
The Heavy Bombers shot 44 percent from the field compared to a paltry 33 percent from the league-leaders. With their shots falling at a higher rate, it negated the 58-35 rebounding advantage of the Tile Masters.
Jackson Corpuz dropped 19 points and eight rebounds for Racal (5-1), while Sidney Onwubere got 15 markers and seven boards in the defeat.
JRU will next play collegiate rivals Cignal-San Beda next this Thursday, March 2, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. Racal’s next match will be against Victoria Sports-MLQU on March 7, Tuesday, still at the JCSGO Gym. Both matches are set at 5:00 PM.
The Scores
JRU 77 – Teodoro 20, Pontejos 16, Ambulodto 12, Lasquety 8, Poutouochi 8, Grospe 6, Dela Virgen 3, Bordon 2, Bulawan 2, Astilla 0, Estrella 0, Sawat 0.
Racal Ceramica 75 – Corpuz 19, Onwubere 15, Dagangon 8, Nambatac 8, Gabawan 7, Gumaru 5, Mangahas 4, Cabrera 3, Terso 3, Salado 2, Flores 1, Apreku 0, Gabayni 0, Torres 0.
Quarterscores: 9-21, 26-36, 52-52, 77-75.
