Caida Tile checks skid, repels Wangs

MANILA, Philippines – Caida Tile nearly blew a 15-point lead but came through with a strong finishing kick to foil Wangs Basketball, 110-106, and wrest the solo lead in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the San Juan Arena yesterday.

Jiovani Jalalon and Jason Perkins hit clutch baskets as the Tile Masters checked their skid and frustrated the Couriers to extend their win run to three in the early going of the tournament.

“I just told them to play our game and keep on running. Luckily, we were able to hit the big shots in the end. The thing with close games like this is we got to learn from it, experience it, and be better the next time,” said Caida coach Caloy Garcia.

Jalalon turned in a solid outing of 22 points, nine assists, four rebounds and two steals, while top rookie pick Perkins tallied a double-double of 19 markers and 14 boards before fouling out in the final minute.

Jonathan Grey also had 17 points, while Chris Javier and Billy Robles both chipped in 10 markers each for the Tile Masters, who earlier toppled the Tanduay Rhum Mastes and the AMA U side in emphatic fashions.

The Tile Masters appeared headed for another round after racing to a 65-50 lead midway in the third period. But the Couriers fought back behind James Mangahas and Rey Publico, forcing a tie at 97 with 2:27 remaining in the game.

But Perkins drained an open step-back three and followed it up with a couple of free throws to give Caida a five-point lead, 102-97, which it kept till the end.

Mangahas also finished with a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds while Francis Munsayac and John Montemayor also had 18 markers apiece for the Couriers, who fell to 1-2.

Earlier, Mike Tolomia dished out a triple-double job, including 28 points, as Phoenix-FEU rallied from 22-points down to beat AMA U, 114-102, for its second straight win.

Tolomia scattered 16 points in the third quarter as the Accelerators rebounded from a 49-71 deficit. He finished with 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Roger Pogoy also had 21 markers, while Mac Belo bucked his foul-plagued first half for 18 points and five boards.

AMA U dropped to 0-2.