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Caida Tile made sure there won’t be any letups this time out as it crushed Phoenix-FEU, 108-91, Monday in the 2016 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at San Juan Arena.
Leading by as much as 18 points in the first half, the Tile Masters continued to pounce on the Accelerators in the last two quarters, and even led by as much as 24, 81-57 in the third period.
“That was the reminder I said before the game and at halftime. I think we were moving a lot better this time, especially in the zone defense. I think that was the key,” said coach Caloy Garcia.
Jiovani Jalalon showed the way for Caida with a near triple-double performance of 21 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
Philip Paniamogan continued his hot streak with 19 markers on a 2-of-4 shooting from threes, while Jason Perkins had 12 points and seven boards.
Rey Nambatac and Jonathan Grey both scored 11 points apiece, while Chris Javier got 10 points and seven rebounds to help the Tile Masters bounce back to second place at 4-1.
Despite the individual excellence of his players, Garcia harped the importance for his squad to work as one cohesive unit.
“Ang pinakaimportante dito is I know we are good individually. The reason why they are in the D-League is for them to show their wares to make it to the PBA. Coaches look upon it individually, but also as team players.”
The Accelerators fell to their first defeat in four games despite drawing a D-League record 41 points from Mac Belo.
Belo surpassed the D-League record for most points scored in a game which was previously held by Jerramy King and Allan Mangahas, who once had a 40-point outing.
Belo dropped 26 points in the second half alone. Mike Tolomia and Roger Pogoy both had 13 markers in the defeat.
The scores:
CAIDA TILE 108 – Jalalon 21, Paniamogan 19, Perkins 12, Grey 11, Nambatac 11, Javier 10, Terso 9, Ruaya 7, Cabrera 3, Gabawan 3, Robles 2, Lozada 0, Maiquez 0.
PHOENIX-FEU 91 – Belo 41, Pogoy 13, Tolomia 13, Jose 9, Ru. Escoto 6, Tamsi 3, Ri. Escoto 2, Inigo 2, Mendoza 2, Dennison 0, Elmejrab 0, Lee Yu 0.
Quarters: 19-20, 52-36, 84-61, 108-91.