Dexter Maiquez of Jumbo (light) vs Ralph Olivares of AMA (dark). NUKI SABIO/PBA
MANILA, Philippines—In a match of epic proportions, as their names suggest, the Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Giants trampled the AMA University Titans, 82-59, during their PBA D-League encounter at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig Thursday afternoon.
Asserting their dominance as early in the first, the Giants proved to be the bigger monster putting the Titans in a vice grip with a 16-4 run, which was also the quarter score.
Jumbo’s early start carried onto the rest of the game as the Giants easily quelled any potential rebellion from the Titans.
Giants head coach Stevenson Tiu, said the sheer dismantling that his team brought upon AMA is a testament of the players’ character.
“We showed that we are a tough group,” Tiu said as his team climbed to a 5-2 win-loss card. “How we played today shows the character of the players.”
A 13-0 run in the second quarter gave the Giants a 38-15 lead with Mark Cruz scoring off a nifty breakaway reverse layup.
AMA tried to figure themselves back in the game with a 10-0 run with six minutes left to come close to as 10, 61-51, with Joseph Eriobu scoring on back-to-back baskets to cap the surprise rally.
After their attempt to come back, the Titans, though, would run face first to a commanding 8-0 counter from the Giants with Dexter Maiquez capping it off with back-to-back layups to give back Jumbo the stranglehold in the game, 69-51.
Maiquez led Jumbo with a 17-point, 10-board double-double while Jaymo Eguilos showed his mastery at the post with 16 points and six boards.
Joseph Terso added 13 points for the Giants.
Titans’ Eriobu led all scorers with 18 points while James Martinez added 15.
RELATED STORIES
D-LEAGUE: JUMBO TRIES TO STICK CLOSE TO LEADERS
PBA D-League: Wangs rips listless AMA Titans