Jumbo edges Sta. Lucia, seals title duel vs Caida

MANILA, Philippines – Jumbo Plastic battled back from eight points down and wore down Sta. Lucia Realty in a pressure-packed endgame, carving out a 71-69 decision in their rubber match Monday night to arrange a best-of-three duel with Caida Tiles for the PCBL Founders Cup crown at the JCSGO Gym.

The Linoleum Giants leaned on ex-pros Alvin Padilla, James Martinez and Marcy Arellano, who combined in a big third quarter charge to overhaul an eight-point deficit and complete their come-from-behind win in the semis after dropping the opening game.

The Giants and the Tile Masters start their finals series at 7 tonight at the Malolos City Sports and Convention Center in Bulacan.

Sta. Lucia actually had a chance to force overtime but Jun Gabriel failed to convert on a putback off Jhaps Bautista’s miss from the line in the last two seconds, enabling Jumbo Plastic to clinch the hard-earned victory.

Fouled from behind the arc with Sta. Lucia trailing, 68-71, Bautista flubbed his first free throw, made the second and deliberately missed the third. Gabriel snared the offensive rebound but failed to get 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 Taganas, who struggled with early foul woes.

Jeff Viernes contributed 13 markers and Padilla chipped in 10 points for Jumbo Plastic, clobbered off boards, 27-37,  (37 to 27), but had five less turnovers than its rival.

For head coach Stephenson Tiu, winning two in a row over Sta. Lucia in the semis of the event supported by Accel, Ambucore, Spalding and Aquabest, spoke well of the team’s character.

Mac Montilla led the Realtors with 19 points, including a three-pointer midway in the third period that put Sta. Lucia ahead at 45-37.