The deepest team in the PBA D-League today just got deeper.
The Caida Tile Masters, with the addition of Letran standout Rey Nambatac and Filipino-American Ryan Pascual, utilized their depth in 40 minutes of action in a 103-84 rout of the AMA Computer College Titans Tuesday afternoon at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The game was close in the early going with the score tied at 8-all. However, the defense of the Titans completely collapsed with the Tile Masters breaking away with a 34-21 lead to end the first quarter. New addition Rey Nambatac and starting floor general Joseph Terso combined for 15 points in the quarter while former CSB Blazer Jonathan Grey added six markers during Caida’s first quarter blitz.
With the new rules implemented in the league, the quarter was plagued with fouls resulting to a total of 40 fouls given up by both squads in the first half, majority coming in the second quarter. AMA Filipino-Americans Rashawn McCarthy and Jerramy King slahed through the lanes in the hopes of gaining the whistle and cutting the lead through free throws. The Tile Masters kept pace with their opponents to keep the lead at double-digits entering halftime 52-40.
The Tile Masters were able to extend their lead in the third canto with Jio Jalalon entering the game for the first time. Jalalon scored eight quick points by the halfway mark of the quarter to extend the Caida lead to 15, 68-53. AMA was able to cut the lead, 74-65, in the closing half of the quarter behind eight straight points by Gab Dagangon.
Caida’s defense relaxed in the early parts of the final quarter that resulted to a 13-7 rally that cut the Caida lead to just three with 5:52 remaining. After a timeout by Caida head coach Caloy Garcia, their defense tightened up resulting to a game-breaking 18-2 rally. During that span, Grey was able to score five points with two of the field goals coming from great defensive stops while Jason Perkins powered his way in the paint in putting up nine markers. AMA’s Oda Tampos, McCarthy, and Ivan Hernandez fouled out of the game that contributed to the struggles of the Titans. The game ended with a 19 points win for Caida, 103-84.
“When AMA rallied back after trailing 17 points, hindi nawala confidence ng players ko,” Garcia said after the game. “They worked hard for this and they were able to play their game.”
Now with a complete lineup, Garcia still plans to give equal opportunity to all his players. “May mga players na sasabihan ko ahead of time na hindi makakapaglaro kasi I also need to prepare them for the next level. Kelangan masanay din kasi sila to play at a long pace and not just in short spurts just like in the pros,” Garcia added.
Incoming La Salle super senior Jason Perkins led Caida with 16 markers on an efficient 6/10 shooting from the field in just 19 minutes of action. Jonathan Grey added 11 markers, six rebounds, and five assists in an excellent all around effort.
For the Titans, McCarthy scored 16 points to pace AMA. He also added six boards, two assists, and two steals to his statline but was just 4/13 from the field. Jerramy King added 14 points with half of his points coming from the foul stripe.
Asa team, Caida was an excellent 53% from the field compared to just 36% for AMA. The Tile Masters also had the better of their opponents from the charity stripe as Caida went 36/50 from the foul line compared to 25/36 for the Titans. A total of 78 fouls were committed in the game.
The Scores:
Caida (103) – Perkins 16, Terso 12, Grey 11, Jalalon 10, Javier 9, Robles 9, Nambatac 8, Cabrera 6, Lozada 6, Maiquez 6, Pascual 5, Pasculado 3, Corpuz 2, Gabawan 0, Ruaya 0.
AMA (84) – McCarthy 16, King 14, Dagangon 10, Jamito 10, Romero 8, Tampus 8, Balucanag 7, Dela Cruz 5, Sargent 4, Hernandez 2, Arambulo 0, Carpio 0, Castro 0, Jordan 0.
Quarterscores: 34-21, 52-40, 74-65, 103-84.
Photo courtesy of PBA Images
