The Caida Tile Masters absolutely thrashed the UP-QRS/Jam Liner Maroons in the fourth quarter that turned a close encounter into a blowout 118-86 Tuesday afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan City.
The Tile Masters displayed great ball movement during the opening quarter of the game that helped give Caida a 28-18 lead to end the quarter. However, as the second stanza started, the star-laden team deviated from the gameplan that worked in favor for the Maroons.
Philip Paniamogan was on fire during the second frame in going 4/4 from the field, including two triples. However, everyone wanted to get into the act that helped UP’s cause. The once 14 point lead, 43-29, held by Caida turned to just seven, 52-45, entering halftime. Diego Dario led the comeback in scoring 11 points, nine coming from downtown, while Gelo Alolino and Kevin Ferrer combined for 11 second quarter points to close-in on the league-leaders.
“I think it’s nice to have talented players but I told them during halftime na na-disappoint ako. Jam went on an 8-0 kasi nawala sa amin yung flow ng game,” Caida head coach Caloy Garcia said about the team’s first half performance. “Everybody wanted to score. At some point, Nambatac did not want to pass the ball. Luckily, Paniamogan was making his shot.”
The second half though was a whole different story. “The nice thing about the second half is that everybody pushed, everybody was running,” Garcia said. “I told them that if they wanted to win games, they have to keep running.”
And run they did. After gaining a nine point lead entering the final frame, the Tile Masters clamped down on defense and ran past the Maroons on the other end. The troika of Jio Jalalon, Paniamogan, and Jonathan Grey combined to score 18 fourth quarter points. Moreover, Reneford Ruaya and Jackson Corpuz feasted in the paint as they combined for 12 points in the quarter as well. The Caida lead ballooned to 34 points, 118-84, before ending the game 118-86.
“There are times that we still relax too much,” Garcia said regarding the bad habits of the team that he wants to get rid off in their final two games. “Reminder ko before the game, in order for everyone to get plays, everybody has to give their 100%.”
Philip Paniamogan shot the lights out in the game in scoring 19 points on 7/9 shooting. Jonathan Grey also continued his excellent D-League campaign with 18 points, on 70% shooting, and grabbing six boards. Jalalon added 16 points, four rebounds, and three steals.
For the Maroons, Diego Dario carried his team with 19 markers, five boards, and two dimes but committed a game-high four turnovers. Both Alolino and Ferrer added 14 points on a combined 9/22 shooting from the field.
The Caida Tile Masters (5-1) face the Mindanao Aguilas in their penultimate game for the regular season on Tuesday, March 1 at the Filoil Flying V Arena. The UP-QRS/Jam Liner Maroons, on the other hand, just have a day to regroup as they face the Wangs Basketball Couriers on Thursday, February 25 at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.
The Scores:
Caida (118) – Paniamogan 19, Grey 18, Jalalon 16, Nambatac 9, Gabawan 8, Tereso 8, Javier 7, Perkins 7, Ruaya 7, Corpuz 6, Robles 6, Lozada 5, Cabrera 2.
UP-QRS/Jam Liner (86) – Dario 19, Alolino 14, Ferrer 14, Aguilar 12, Lim 10, Soyud 8, Baloria 5, Batino 2, Neypes 2, Vito 0, Sorela 0, Moralde 0.
Quarterscores: 28-18, 52-45, 80-71, 118-86.
