Jason Perkins and Pamboy Raymundo came to the rescue for the Cignal-San Beda HD Hawkeyes, saving their campaign with an 89-86 Game Two win over Tanduay, Thursday afternoon at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. The Hawkeyes have forced a winner-take-all Game Three in their 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup semifinals series.
Perkins nailed two go-ahead treys in the final 2:42, while Raymundo dropped the dagger floater with 25.4 seconds to spare to extend the Hawkeyes’ season next Tuesday at the same venue.
“Buhay pa kami. At least, we got another day to live,” said coach Boyet Fernandez.
“It sounds cliche, but the boys really stepped up today. Jason didn’t want to go home, Pamboy didn’t want to go home, everybody doesn’t want to go home and this win is for them.”
Perkins topped Cignal with 15 points, five rebounds, and two assists, while Raymundo had 11 markers, four boards, and four rebounds.
Robert Bolick also chipped in 13 points, four rebounds, and three dimes, Ben Adamos tallied a double-double of 13 markers and 13 boards, and Davon Potts got 12 in the victory.
The Hawkeyes lost hold of a 70–58 advantage with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, as Tanduay fired a 20-7 tear to take a 78-77 advantage in the final 2:51.
From there, Perkins imposed his presence with his back-to-back treys, before Harold Arboleda, Raymundo, and Bolick sealed the win in the clutch.
Mark Cruz had one final chance to tie the game, but his three-pointer fell short.
Jaymo Eguilos led Tanduay with 18 points and six rebounds, while Lester Alvarez had 15 markers on a 3-of-5 shooting from threes, to go with three assists.
Cruz and Gerwin Gaco were limited to a combined 16 points after towing Tanduay in Game One.
The Scores:
Cignal-San Beda (89) – Perkins 15, Adamos 13, Bolick 13, Potts 12, Raymundo 11, Bringas 8, Arboleda 5, Mocon 5, Arong 4, Villarias 3, Batino 0, Oftana 0.
Tanduay (86) – Eguilos 18, Alvarez 15, Sanga 11, Quinto 9, Cruz 8, Gaco 8, Santos 6, Palma 5, Varilla 3, Vigil 3.
Quarterscores: 21-21, 45-38, 70-58, 89-86.
