Racal topples AMA Online in D-L debut

MANILA, Philippines – Racal and Phoenix both rode on fiery second quarter runs to take complete control then went on to smother their respective rivals in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the JCSGO gym in Cubao yesterday.

Dexter Maiquez shot 16 points and pulled down nine rebounds while Raphael Banal backed him up with 15 markers as the Tile Masters bucked the absence of top guns Jiovani Jalalon and Jason Perkins and blasted the AMA Online Education Titans, 100-67.

Jonathan Grey also put in a 13-point effort, all in the first that saw the Tile Masters outscore the Titans, 26-13, to seize a 49-30 halftime lead.

Ex-pro Robby Celiz also chipped in 11 markers and six boards for Racal, which also showed its cohesion by coming through with 23 assists.

“We put emphasis on our ball movement and we didn’t rely on individual talent but on teamwork. I think they shared the ball pretty well,” said Racal coach Caloy Garcia.

John Ragasa shot 16 points, grabbed four rebounds and dished off three assists while Ryan Arambulo had 14 markers and five boards for AMA, which absorbed its second straight loss.

Later in the day, Phoenix dismantled Tanduay, 98-79, to set in motion its drive for a second championship after ruling the Aspirants’ Cup recently.

Ed Daquioag starred in the Accelerators’ telling 24-0 run at the end of the second period, scoring all but two of his 22 points as Phoenix sat on a 47-27 cushion heading to the break.

The former UST star also snared five rebounds and made five assists for the Accelerators, who also drew 15 markers from Mike Tolomia and 12 points from Roger Pogoy.

Jovet Mendoza topped the Rhum Masters with 11 points.