THREE days ago Tanduay was on the receiving end of an embarrassing 104-89 defeat to league leader Flying V.
On Monday the Rhum Masters redeemed their pride and stayed in contention for a coveted playoff spot in the Philippine Basketball Associaton Developmental League Foundation Cup with a 141-65 demolition of struggling Zark’s Burger at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
“The players were really disheartened with the loss against Flying V. They really wanted to make up for it. I thought their determination and desire were on display early and it paved the way for our strong start,” Tanduay Coach Lawrence Chongson said.
James Martinez came off the bench and finished with a game-high 23 points for the Rhum Masters, who put away the hapless Jawbreakers as early as the first quarter by erecting a 35-6 advantage that was never challenged the rest of the way.
Tanduay improved to 4-2 (win-loss), tying idle Batangas and Centro Escolar University at third to fifth spots behind Flying V (6-0) and Cignal (7-2).
“The record has no meaning to us if we don’t make the playoffs. The only record we aspire for is the championship, [no less, no more],” Chongson said.
Only the top six teams after the eliminations will advance to the playoffs. The top two teams earn an outright passage to the semifinals, while the third and fourth teams will clinch a twice-to-beat advantage over their respective matchups also in the quarterfinals.
Tanduay also got big games from Jerwin Gaco (21 points), Paul Sanga (20), Paul Varilla ( 15), Lester Alvarez (11) and Dennis Villamor (10). Joseph Terso had 11 assists for the Rhum Masters, who had a 43-16 advantage in that department.
Tanduay clobbered the Jawbreakers off the boards, 55-24, in the process scoring 94 points in the paint.