THE Flying V Thunder got their game going late in the third quarter to hold off Wang’s Basketball, 107-96, on Tuesday for their third straight win in the Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
Gab Banal registered a double-double with a game-high 29 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Thunder, who encountered tough challenge from the Couriers for three quarters.
“Gab was consistent all throughout the game. He was our spark and he took it upon himself to shut down [Robbie] Herndon in the second half. But all in all, it was a collective effort from our players,” Flying V Coach Eric Altamirano said.
Jeron Teng had 20 points and six assists, Aris Dionisio finished with 14 and 10 rebounds, Chris Torres had 12 and Hans Thiele added 10 for the Thunder, who broke out of a three-way logjam and assumed the solo lead.
The Thunder take a break over the next two weeks upon the request of Altamirano, who leaves for Paris along with Teng, Keiffer Ravena, Reynel Hugnatan and Andre Paras on Thursday for the Fiba 3X3 tournament.
“Hopefully, we won’t get rusty with the long break,” Altamirano said.
Flying V resumes its campaign against Marinerong Pilipino on June 26.
Cignal, meanwhile, bounced back from a stunning 66-65 loss against Marinerong Pilipino last week by clobbering AMA Online Education, 86-76.
Davon Potts collected 17 points, Pamboy Raymundo had 16, while Raymar Jose chipped in 12 points and nine boards for the Hawkeyes, who improved to 3-2.
Paolo Pontejos led AMA with 24 points. Mario Bonleon tallied 13 while Andre Paras tallied five points, 10 rebounds, five blocks, and three assists in his debut for the Titans, who fell to 0-2.
Flying V and Wangs Basketball battled through 16 lead changes and 13 ties before the Thunder went on an 11-2 to close the third.
That explosion gave Flying V an 86-80 after three and the Thunder cruised the rest of the way.
Herndon scored 20 of his game-high 24 points in the first half to help the Couriers take a 59-55 lead at the break. But he lost his touch in the second half and nobody picked up the slack as Wangs fell to its second straight loss.
The Couriers’ bench outscored the Thunder’s second stringers, 50-28, but their effort couldn’t save the team from defeat.