Tile Masters hold off Accelerators

CAIDA Tiles spoiled Mac Belo’s record-breaking outing as the Tile Masters walloped Phoenix-Far Eastern University, 108-91, Monday in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Stung by its first loss last week, the Tile Masters came out charging early and played spoiler not only to the Accelerators’ bid for a share of the lead, but also to Belo’s 41-point explosion.

Caida coach Caloy Garcia said the Tile Masters proved they could get back on track quickly after getting foiled in their own bid to stay unbeaten last week.

“I think we were moving a lot better this time, especially in the zone defense,” said Garcia. “I think that was the key.”

Belo set a new league record for the most number of points scored in a single game, eclipsing the 40 points tallied by both Jerramy King and Allan Mangahas last season.

Jiovani Jalalon, the topnotch Arellano guard who often flirted with a triple-double, tallied 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists to power the Tile Masters to leads of as many as 24 points, 81-57.

University of the Philippines-QRS/Jam Liner also arrested a two-game slide with a 100-75 thumping of newcomer Mindanao Aguilas.

JUL-ASHRI Ignacio of Mindanao Aguilas (3) braces for a rough landing as UP-QRS-Jam Liner’s Alfred Batino fakes him off in Monday’s D-League game at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan. The Maroons poured it on
right from the first quarter to win handily. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Raymond Aguilar had a huge double-double effort of 23 points and 15 rebounds to lead five Maroons who finished in twin digits.

The Tile Masters gained solo second at 4-1 behind Cafe France (4-0), while the Accelerators absorbed their first loss in four games to slip to third.

The Maroons opened with a 13-0 burst and never looked back as Gelo Alolino (18 points), Juneric Baloria (18 points), Kevin Ferrer (15 points) and Raul Soyud (11 points) took turns bullying the Aguilas in the lopsided match.

“We learned a good lesson last week: If you don’t move and share the ball, you won’t win,” said UP team consultant Joe Ward.

The Maroons climbed to solo fourth with three wins and two losses, which, for now, looks good enough for Ward.

The scores:

First Game

UP QRS/JAM LINER 100—Aguilar 23, Alolino 18, Baloria 18, Ferrer 15, Soyud 11, Moralde 6, Batino 4, Dario 4, Neypes 1, Harris 0, Vito 0.

MINDANAO 75—Ignacio 17, Ferrer 13, Argamino 12, Celiz 11, Ongteco 6, Garcia 4, Villanueva 4, Acibar 3, Rivera 3, Jumao-as 2, Nalos 0, Rublico 0, Sarangay 0.

Quarters: 23-13, 53-32, 78-47, 100-75

Second Game

CAIDA TILES 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