Rhum Masters sizzle: Blast Realtors as Freeman outplays Sesay

Tanduay Rhum made it three in a row over Sta. Lucia in the season, barging into the win-column of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with an 83-76 thrashing of the still-struggling Ansu Sesay and the Realtors last night at the Philsports Arena.

Kevin Freeman lifted his game notches higher from his 20-point showing in their 67-74 loss to Shell Sunday and the Rhum Masters went on to exact some measure of revenge over the team which scuttled their finals bid in this same tournament last year.

Sesay, last year’s Commissioner’s Cup Best Import awardee who was largely responsible for Sta. Lucia’s first-ever finals stint in the tourney, was huffing and puffing all night, and the Rhum Masters made the most of it as they avoided duplicating its 0-2 start in the first conference.

Freeman had huge numbers with 36 points and 19 rebounds with Jeffrey Cariaso adding 14 points and seven rebounds and Bong Hawkins chipping in 11 points and five rebounds.

Sesay went 0-of-4 from the three-point arc and finished with only 21 points and nine rebounds. Dennis Espino tried to carry the fight for the Realtors, scoring 29 points while getting nine rebounds and two assists against six turnovers.

"We got off to a strong start and the good thing is that we’re able to sustain it. That’s the original plan — try to jump the gun on Sta. Lucia because we felt they may be a bit complacent coming off a victory in their first game over Pop Cola," said Tanduay coach Derrick Pumaren.

"Kevin (Freeman) fared better this time maybe because he’s more settled with the team now unlike in his first game where he tried hard," Pumaren added.

Freeman made up for his so-so debut as he outplayed Sesay, shooting 60 percent from the three-point zone and 56 percent from the two-point area.

He scored only seven in the final quarter but made all of them when needed most by his team as he personally quashed a last-ditch effort by Sta. Lucia.

He strung up five straight points as soon as the Realtors came to within three at 71-74 entering the final three-minute mark of the contest.

The whole Tanduay team shot 43 percent from the field compared to Sta. Lucia’s 38-percent clip. The Rhum Masters also fought the Realtors to a 47-all deadlock in rebounding despite lacking in ceiling in matchups.

Meanwhile, some PBA games may be held at the Cuneta Astrodome since the venue has been spruced up for the league. The Purefoods-Mobiline game may be held there on June 30 instead of Gen. Santos City.