Radge Tongco steers Wangs rout of Masterpiece-Trinity

Leaning on their backcourt, the Wangs Basketball Couriers clobbered The Masterpiece Clothing-Trinity University of Asia White Stallions, 89-69, to claim their first win in the 2019 PBA D-League, Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Arvin Tolentino grabbed the spotlight for the Couriers with his 13 points, on a 3-of-8 clip from threes, alongside 10 rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block off the bench.

Axel Iñigo chipped in 12 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Radge Tongco contributed 13 points, five assists, and three boards. Meanwhile, Rickson Gerero got 12 points and five rebounds in the win for Wangs.

“Sobrang saya namin kasi nakita naman namin ang effort. Lahat ng pinaghirapan namin, nagbunga,” said coach Pablo Lucas.

It was a superb third quarter for the Couriers, as Tolentino and Daryl Singontiko found their mark from distance. They went on a 23-point eruption to take a 67-47 lead, and even pushed it to 25, 76-51, early in the fourth frame.

“Yung pressure defense namin, isa sa malaking bagay noong third quarter. Talagang pinahirapan namin sila mag-receive ng bola, lalo na si (Michael) Canete dahil siya ang gumagawa sa kanila,” said Lucas.

The win allows Wangs to rise among the early leaders in the Foundation Group.

Michael Canete paced the White Stallions with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Levi dela Cruz got 11 points, six boards, five assists, and five steals in the loss.

The Scores:

Wangs 89 — Tolentino 13, Tongco 13, Inigo 12, Gerero 12, Santos 10, De Mesa 8, Singontiko 6, Estrella 6, Bulawan 4, Vito 3, Padua 2, Lucas 0, Lim 0, Brojan 0, Wong 0.

The Masterpiece-Trinity 69 — Canete 19, Dela Cruz 11, Balucanag 8, Mandreza 5, Concepcion 5, Villoria 5, Abanes 5, Biteng 4, Reyes 4, Nidoy 3, De Guzman 0, Montero 0.

Quarterscores: 24-20, 44-35, 67-48, 89-69.