THE TIGER-powered Max! Bond Super Glue Sumos bowed down to the NLEX Road Warriors, 59-74, in their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Developmental League Foundation Cup semifinals encounter at the Ynares Sports Arena last June 9.
The loss knocked the Sumos out of title contention but finished in third place in the scores quotient category.
Sumos head coach Pido Jarencio attributed their loss to the team’s “laziness” and slow defensive rotations on court.
“We have a very low energy back there. We could not rotate immediately in the defensive end and we can’t execute plays as fast as we would like,” he said.
The Growling Tigers backcourt army of Clark Bautista, Jeric Fortuna and Jeric Teng combined for a measly 12 points, while San Sebastian College Stags standouts Calvin Abueva and Ronald Pascual finished with 19 and 14 points, respectively, for the Road Warriors.
Red Warrior’s John Raymundo and Pascual awed the crowd with a spectacular alley-oop play, 40-68, midway through the fourth period.
As the Road Warriors started its scoring barrage in the third canto, an 11-1 run capped by Eric Salamat’s triple put the boards at, 38-65.
The Road Warriors went on firing from the get-go, opening an early 11-point margin on the slow-moving Sumos that finished the opening period, 14-25.
Jarencio, however, said that despite their loss, the exposure would help the Tigers prepare for a tougher UAAP season.
Surpassing a nail-biter
Previously, the Blackwater Elite were humbled by the Sumos in their quarterfinal showdown, 74-71, at the Arena in San Juan last June 7.
Both teams showcased tenacious runs and rallies, but the unrelenting Sumos outlasted the Elite in the final minute of the heart-stopping game.
The Elite would turn the ball over in a crucial possession with 18.5 seconds remaining in the game that led to Reil Cervantes’ dagger.
Tiger Jeric Teng placed the final nails on the coffin, sinking two free-throws to end the game at 74-71.
“I’ve missed a lot of shots at the first half,” Teng said. “I was confident during my time at the free-throws because we have practiced all the time.”
He added that he wanted to avenge their bitter loss against the Arellano University Chiefs that handed them a heartbreaker at the Filoil preseason tournament.
“I wanted to get even in today’s game since most of the players of the Elite are from Arellano,” Teng said.
Cervantes sank the 16-foot haymaker that gave the Sumos a one-point lead, 72-71, with only 12.5 seconds remaining.
Teng scored nine points including a four-point play in the fourth canto and two clutch free-throws to seal the game for the Sumos. Cervantes carried the scoring load for the Sumos with 21 points.
