Jumbo five forges PCBL title showdown with Caida Tiles

JUMBO Plastic leaned on its trio of former PBA players to pip Sta. Lucia Realty, 71-69, in their rubber match on Monday night and forge a best-of-three championship duel with Caida Tiles in the PCBL Founders Cup at  JCSGO Gym in Quezon City.

The Linoleum Giants overcame an eight-point deficit in the third period behind ex-pros Alvin Padilla, James Martinez and Marcy Arellano to sweep the Realtors, which had a chance to tie the game with two seconds left only for Jhaps Bautista to miss two of his three free throws.

Jumbo Plastic and Caida Tiles begin their title series at 7 p.m. today at Malolos City Sports and Convention Center.

Bautista missed the first charity, made the second and deliberately missed the third. Teammate Jun Gabriel hauled down the rebound but failed to get off a good shot as time expired.

Jaymo Eiugilos and Mark Lopez finished with 15 points apiece to make up for the sub-par game of MVP candidate JR Tagañas, who was in foul trouble all game long. Jeff Viernes added 13 and Padilla chipped in 10 for Jumbo Plastic.

Jumbo Plastic head coach Stephenson Tiu said their two successive wins over the Realtors showed his team’s fine character.

“I told the players they needed to win the game if they wanted to win the title,” said Tiu.

Mac Montilla paced the Realtors with 19 points.

The scores:
JUMBO PLASTIC 71—M. Lopez 15, Eguilos 15, Viernes 13, Padilla 10, Martinez 7, Arellano 4, Taganas 4, J. Lopez 3, Mandani 0, Acosta 0.
SANTA LUCIA 69—Montilla 19, Escosio 12, Ilagan 12, Salado 8, Bautista 7, Onwubere 5, Gabriel 4, Celiz 2, Camasura 0, Wetherell 0, Vidal 0, Sarangay 0.
Quarters: 18-20, 31-32, 49-52, 71-69