The Tanduay Rhum Masters gave guest team Blustar Detergent Dragons a rude welcome in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup, scoring a dominant 94-71 victory on Tueaday at the JCSGO Seed Dome in Quezon City.
After Wong scored the opening basket for the Malaysian side, Tanduay went on a 25-1 run to break the game wide open.
Val Acuna and Louie Vigil combined for five triples in the stretch, scoring 18 points overall. Jeoff Javillonar added eight points, as the Rhum Masters held a 37-12 cushion after the first quarter.
Tanduay were never threatened after the opening period, and even led by as much as 36, 85-49, after a Lucas Tagarda basket.
Tanduay head coach Lawrence Chongson, however, downplayed the win, and added the team was just focused on its business.
“Unfamiliar territory, bagong rules, this win, wala ‘to unless we see other teams play against them,” he said. “Kami naman, we are taking care of our own business.”
“We came off a sorry loss. We wanted to bounce back, nagkataon lang itong Malaysia natapat sa atin.”
Chongson added Blustar’s exposure will be beneficial for the Southeast Asian basketball.
“It’s good. Nagu-umpisa sila. Basketball is getting universal,” he said.
The Rhum Masters improved to 2-1 with the win. Five players scored in double-digits, led by Acuna’s 14 points. Javillonar had 13 points.
Tanduay scored 41 points off 33 Blustar turnovers, and also had 13 more free throw conversions.
Kuek Tian Yuan topscored for the Dragons with 23 points. He also had 13 rebounds and three assists. Wong Yi Hou added 12 points.
The Scores:
Tanduay Rhum (94) – Acuna 14, Javillonar 13, Celda 11, Mendoza 10, Vigil 10, Alolino 9, Santos 6, Enguio 5, Lingganay 5, Belencion 3, Stevens 3, Tagarda 3, Gotladera 2, Acibar 0.
Blustar Detergent (71) – Kuek 23, Wong 12, Ting 11, Ma 9, Choo 5, Yeo 4, Liaw 3, Teo 3, Mak 1, Palma 0, Ong 0, Kamaruddin 0.
Quarterscores: 37-12, 51-26, 71-47, 94-71.
