THE week-long break didn’t seem to disrupt Tanduay’s rhythm .
Lester Alvarez and John Tambeling got their games going in the third quarter and the Rhum Masters blasted free-falling Gamboa Coffee Mix, 113-71, on Tuesday in the Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
Alvarez scored 10 of his 17 points in the third quarter and Tambeling came off the bench and added 13 points in the period as the tandem sparked a decisive rally by Tanduay after a sloppy second quarter.
“Not to take anything from Gamboa Coffee Mix but I felt we had the advantage over them. We just didn’t have the energy in the second quarter so I challenge the guys at halftime. I pleased with the way they responded in the third,” Tanduay coach Lawrence Chongson said.
Renz Palma finished with 17 points to share scoring honors with Alvarez, Adrian Santos and Paul Varilla had 15 apiece while Sanga chipped in 13 for the Rhum Masters (3-1), who streaked to their third straight win. Tanduay trailed 34-37 at the half but made 21 of 26 attempts in the third quarter to turn the complexion of the match.
Alvarez, who also had 11 assists, opened the third with an assist to Tambeling then buried a three-pointer and make a layup to spark an 18-0 salvo by Tanduay at the start of the third. The Coffee Lovers never recovered after that.
The Rhum Masters’ biggest lead stood at 44, 113-69, late in the fourth period.
Gamboa Coffee Mix had a good going in the first half but went 5 of 24 from the field in the third quarter. It was the third straight loss for the Coffee Lovers in four games.
Ken Acibar led Gamboa Coffee Mix with 16 points. Mike parala had 12 and playing coach Leo Avenido added 11 for the Coffee Lover, who committed 22 turnovers.