Mark Cruz and Jerwin Gaco provided the lift to carry the Tanduay Rhum Masters to an 86-66 win over Team Batangas, Monday afternoon at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City
Brandishing their experience playing in the PBA, the ex-pros were crucial in helping the Rhum Masters stop the bleeding and rise to a 4-3 card.
Cruz caught fire with 29 points, three assists, and two rebounds, while Gaco immediately made his imprint, tallying 22 markers, 11 boards, and three assists in his Tanduay debut.
“The whole country knows Jerwin Gaco, his experience and his tenacity. Baka marami pang natitira sa tangke niya at maging hulog ng langit siya sa amin,” said coach Lawrence Chongson.
Leaning on Cruz and Gaco, the Rhum Masters unleashed a 24-8 second quarter, with the two combining for 16 markers before erecting a 41-27 halftime edge. The lead would balloon to 22, 86-64, late in the game.
Jaymo Eguilos also chipped in 11 points and four rebounds, while Bong Quinto had 10 markers, six assists, and four boards. The win wasn’t only beneficial for Tanduay, as it secured quarterfinal seats for Racal, Café France, and AMA Online Education.
Tanduay converted on 48 percent of their shots, including 33 percent of their three-point attempts. Batangas, on the other hand, shot a dismal 34 percent from the field. Moreover, the Rhum Masters out-rebounded Batangas, 50-31.
Joseph Sedurifa topped Batangas (3-5) with 14 points, Jessie Saitanan got 11 markers and four boards, and Dan Sara got 10 points, three rebounds, and three assists in the loss.
Tanduay’s next match will be against Blustar this Thursday, March 9, at the Ynares Arena in Pasig. Team Batangas, meanwhile, will face Café France next Monday, March 13, in JCSGO Gym. Both games are set at 3:00 PM.
The Scores:
Tanduay (86) – Cruz 29, Gaco 22, Eguilos 11, Quinto 10, Vigil 5, Santos 3, Cenal 2, Sollano 2, Villamor 2, Asuncion 0, Palma 0, Sanga 0, Stevens 0, Varilla 0.
Batangas (66) – Sedurifa 14, Saitanan 11, Sara 10, Ablaza 7, Isit 6, De Joya 4, Mangabang 4, Dela Pena 3, Delfinado 3, Andrada 2, Laude 2, Fortu 0, Inciong 0, Lascano 0.
Quarterscores: 17-19, 41-27, 64-52, 86-66.
