Tanduay too strong for Jumbo Plastic

Games Thursday (Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City) 12 noon – Cagayan Valley vs AMA 2 p.m. – MP Hotel vs Cebuana Lhuillier 4 p.m. – Keramix vs Livermarin

Aljon Mariano and John Foronda conspired in an early rampage as Tanduay Light romped to a 79-61 victory over Jumbo Plastic for what could be its best start in years in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup yesterday at the JCSGO gym in Cubao.

The Rhum Masters zoomed to a 21-9 advantage as Mariano and Foronda combined for 10 points midway in the opening frame before Roi Sumang and Jaypee Belencion foiled the Linoleum Giants’ comeback bid behind their hot shooting in the third to secure the win.

Sumang topscored for Tanduay with 17 points aside from dishing out eight assists in a performance he hoped will be the start of something good for the team.

Tanduay is aching to rebound from a disappointing showing in the Aspirants Cup where the Rhum Masters failed to get past the quarterfinal round.

“Naramadaman namin yung frustration last conference kaya naisip ng mga bata na kailangan naming bumangon,” said Tanduay Coach Lawrence Chongson.

Mariano was one rebound shy from completing a double-double after collecting 16 points and 9 boards.

Belencion also proved to be a good addition for the team after chipping in 14 markers.

Jumbo Plastic, which lost several players after getting the boot in the Aspirants Cup quarterfinals, made things interesting in the second half but Sumang and Belencion sizzled for 12 points each in the third for a 63-49 lead.

Mariano then put on the finishing touches for the Rhum Masters as he came to life anew in the final canto.

“We caught Jumbo Plastic at a time na marami silang bagong players. Pero mahaba pa ang confence at marami pa kaming malakas na kakalabanin,” Chongson said.

No Jumbo Plastic player cracked the double-digit barrier with Denice Villamor’s 9 points turning out to be the best score for the Linoleum Giants.