Asia’s Lashes Tomas Morato survived the triple-double outing of Aaron Black to pull off the 106-105 win over AMA Online Education Thursday in the 2019 PBA D-League Second Conference at Paco Arena in Manila.
The Soldiers lost hold of a 13-point lead midway through the final frame and even stared at a 103-102 deficit with 1:16 left, but leaned on James Martinez canning four freebies in the clutch to avert the meltdown.
“Opening game kasi kaya medyo na-tense. Buti na lang naka-recover,” said coach Alvin Grey.
Martinez played the role of the hero as he 13 points, five assists, and three rebounds, while Adrian Celada paced the newcomers with 26 points built on eight three-pointers.
Francis Camacho had 13 points, Levi Dela Cruz supplied 12 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals, and Jeson Delfinado chimed in 10.
AMA’s loss wasted the efforts of the debuting Black, who tallied a triple-double with 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists, with four steals and two blocks.
The son of PBA great and current Meralco head coach Norman Black became the eighth player in the developmental league’s history to accomplish the feat.
Rey De Mesa provided 22 points, six rebounds, and two assists in the loss for the Titans, while Luke Parcero and Alvin Fuentes had 13 and 10 markers, respectively.
The Scores:
Asia’s Lashes 106 — Celada 26, Martinez 13, Camacho 13, Dela Cruz 12, Delfinado 10, Alban 9, Sarao 8, Apreku 7, Dumlao 3, Gerero 2, Deles 2, Laude 1, Reyes 0, Tadeo 0.
AMA 105 — Black 25, De Mesa 22, Parcero 13, Fuentes 10, Alina 9, Saor 7, Estibar 6, Paras 6, De Leon 5, Catorce 2, Asuncion 0, Baturianio 0, Germino 0, Sison 0.
Quarterscores: 23-26, 57-50, 87-77, 106-105.
