LEAGUE-LEADER Caida Tiles dodged an upset as BDO-National University also clinched a quarterfinal berth in separate victories in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Arena.
With top rookie pick Jason Perkins starring in the closing seconds, the Tile Masters completed their comeback from a double-digit deficit against Mindanao Aguilas, 95-87, to join idle Cafe France on top with a 6-1 record.
Perkins poured in six points in the last 50 seconds, including a huge triple that gave the Tile Masters a 92-87 cushion with 38.6 ticks left.
“It was just that we were too complacent from the beginning, too confident,” said coach Caloy Garcia after the Tile Masters rallied from a 60-70 deficit in the second half. “But we have to learn from this, we have to do better.”
Jay Alejandro and Alfred Aroga also tallied huge numbers as the Bulldogs carved out a 106-97 triumph over Wangs Basketball to advance with a 2-5 card.
JOHN Tayongtong of Wangs gets jammed by the BDO-NU double team of Ralph
Tansingco (left) and Adven Diputado. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
“We played the way we wanted to play, and it happened at the right time,” said BDO-NU coach Eric Altamirano.
Alejandro powered the Bulldogs with 23 points, while Aroga posted a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Only the team with the worst record at the end of the single-round eliminations will not advance to the quarterfinals.
Either Mindanao (1-6) or Wangs (1-7) will get the early boot as both squads still only have a win to show.
The scores:
First Game
CAIDA TILES 95—Paniamogan 18, Cabrera 15, Javier 13, Terso 12, Grey 11, Jalalon 10, Perkins 8, Gabawan 3, Parala 2, Robles 2, Ruaya 1, Corpuz 0, Lozada 0.
MINDANAO 87—Salamat 21, Acibar 15, Ingteco 14, Jumao-as 10, Celiz 7, Garcia 7, Ignacio 4, Sarangay 4, Julkipli 2, Villanueva 2, Rivera 0, Argamino 0, Ferrer 0, Nalos 0.
Quarters: 23-17, 43-36, 66-72, 95-87
Second Game
BDO-NU 106—Alejandro 23, Aroga 19, Javelona 15, Salim 14, Diputado 9, Salem 9, Labing-isa 6, Perez 4, Yu 4, Rono 3, Tansingco 0.
WANGS BASKETBALL 97—Mangahas 22, Acosta 16, Bautista 14, Romero 12, Ilad 11, Capacio 8, Jo. Montemayor 6, Tayongtong 5, Munsayac 3, Cabahug 0, Ragasa 0, Tumalip 0.
Quarters: 28-23, 44-43, 75-75, 106-97