Rhum Masters keep hopes afloat

Askia Jones scored a game-high 33 points but fumbled two crucial plays at endgame, enabling Tanduay Rhum to clinch an 81-78 win over Shell and keep its hopes for the PBA Governors Cup quarterfinals at the Philsports Arena last night.

The Rhum Masters squandered double-digit leads and looked headed for a total collapse but found some relief as Jones tripped with his boo-boos with the game on the line.

After Tanduay regained the lead at 79-78 with time down to 1:19 moments after Shell surged ahead for the first time at 78-77, Jones committed his first error when he lost the ball while about to attack at the post. Dindo Pumaren grabbed the loose ball and quickly hurled a lead pass to Jeffrey Cariaso, who gave Tanduay a breathing room at 81-78 on two free throws off a foul by Chris Jackson.

With 4.8 ticks left in the clock, Shell still had a chance to send the game into overtime but blew it as Jones committed another turnover, losing the ball on the baseline even with no defensive pressure from Tanduay import Billy Thomas.

The Turbo Chargers, who absorbed their fourth loss in nine outings, found themselves stuck in a jam in the middle of the standings, losing crucial grounds to their rivals in the fight for the twice-to-beat incentive in the next round.

The Rhum Masters kept their flickering hopes for the quarters on their third win against seven losses.

"We’re still there at the bottom but the good news is that we still have control of our destiny,"' said Tanduay coach Derrick Pumaren.