Cignal gains outright semis; Flying V wins
Games Tomorrow (Ynares Sports Arena) 1 p.m. – Marinerong Pilipino vs AMA 3 p.m. – Racal Motors vs Tanduay 5 p.m. – Batangas vs Gamboa Coffee
Even without its head coach, formidable Cignal HD got its immediate job done last night.
Veteran guard Pamboy Raymundo took charge in the stretch as the Hawkeyes staved off the hard-fighting Centro Escolar University Scorpions, 96-89, and clinched the remaining outright semifinals berth in the PBA DLeague Foundation Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The 5-foot-10 Raymundo banged in five of his 11 points – highlighted by a booming triple – and provided the needed stability inside the final two minutes as the Hawkeyes, fresh from a long 19-day break, found another gear to foil the Scorpions’ fightback.
More than extending its winning streak to six and finishing the elimination round with an 8-2 mark, Cignal HD, the Aspirants Cup champion, joined unbeaten leader Flying V in the semifinal round.
And the Hawkeyes did it in style without multi-titled mentor Boyet Fernandez, who called the shots for reigning NCAA titlist San Beda and steered the Red Lions to an 81-74 victory over the Letran Knights earlier.
“Coach Boyet was still on top of everything. It was him who prepared the players and I just carried on whatever game plan he had for the team,” said Cignal interim coach Jude Roque.
“I guess we were fortunate because we had a very long preparation for this game. We had a lot of time scouting them, but it was still a struggle against them. They boys delivered and we got the win.”
Congolese center Rod Ebondo and guard Aaron Jeruta fired away 23 markers each, but they still could not prevent the Scorpions from dropping down to sixth spot with a 5-4 mark, leaving them in must-win situation against also-ran Racal Motors on Tuesday.
Earlier, star wingman Jeron Teng dished out another triple-double performance as streaking Flying V handled the eliminated Zark’s Burgers with ease 97-59 to close in on an elimination round sweep.
The 6-foot-2 Teng proved too much to handle for the Jawbreakers, collecting 20 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists – all team-highs – while powering the semifinals-bound Thunder to their ninth straight victory in as many matches.