Tanduay no longer on the rocks

Tanduay Rhum made up for its lack of personnel with a big fighting heart to barge into the win-column of the PBA Governors Cup with a 87-80 decision over Sta. Lucia Realty at the Philsports Arena last night.

The Rhum Masters came up with a big game despite a depleted lineup, pulling off only their third win since losing ace player Eric Menk due to technicality late in the eliminations of the second conference.

"We used to be the tallest team in the league. Now, I think we’re the smallest at ang natirang malaki na lang sa amin ay ang puso ng mga players," said coach Alfrancis Chua as his Rhum Masters notched their first win in three games in the season-ending tourney.

"This will be a big morale-boost for us since we pulled off this win at the expense of a previously unbeaten team," he added.

Sta. Lucia fell to 1-2, suffering its first defeat at the hands of the very team which it repulsed in the Commissioner’s Cup Final Four.

Tanduay hacked out the big triumph as the Rhum Masters got off to a strong start and led by as many as 23 points before holding off a late charge by the Realtors.

The Rhum Masters were literally saved by the bell with import Maurice Bell personally scuttling the Realtors’ rally in the stretch.

Bell, who came up with clutch baskets at endgame, wound up with a double-double job with 26 points and 13 rebounds with Dondon Hontiveros adding 25 points, Jeffrey Cariaso 16 points and 10 rebounds and Rudy Hatfield 11 points and 12 rebounds.

"I have to give it to the boys, especially to Maurice (Bell). They really showed how big their heart is," said Chua.

Giving up several inches in height in frontcourt matchups, the Rhum Masters overcame this with an efficient running game.

The Rhum Masters nearly ran out of gas in the process but timely conversions by Bell saved the team in the end.

Bell came soaring high to slam a missed jumper by Hontiveros as the Rhum Masters broke a long silence that enabled the Realtors to threaten at 78-82 with time down to 2:36.

Bell would score another basket as the Rhum Masters eventually foiled the Realtors’ bid.