Titans trip Stags; Mixers score

Games Monday (JCSGO gym)

1 p.m. – Jumbo Plastic vs Tanduay Light

3p.m. – Cebuana Lhuillier vs Café France

MANILA, Philippines - AMA University and Kera Mix used one big spurt in the opening quarter and went on to crush newcomer ATC Liver Marin-San Sebastian College, 89-81, and MP Hotel, 87-60, respectively, in a big start in the 2015 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City yesterday.

The new-look Titans built a double-digit spread in the early going and led by as many as 21 points but they needed to come up with a couple of big plays in the closing minutes to put away the Liver Wonders.

“Up until this morning (yesterday) we’re still working on a lot of adjustments. It’s tough to beat (Liver Marin) with their press and they don’t give up easily. That’s exactly what happened so it feels good that our hard work paid off,” said AMA coach Mark Herrera.

The Titans, however, face an early test as they take on the Cagayan Valley Rising Suns, runners-up in the last Aspirants’ Cup, next week.

Pouncing on the Stags’ erratic start, the Titans surged to an 18-4 lead after the first five minutes and sat on a 45-24 cushion late in the second period with Jeremy King spearheading the attack before winding up with 24 points.

Jay-R Taganas bucked foul woes and finished with double-double of 19 points and as many rebounds while new recruits Marcy Arellano (12 points), Joseph Terso (11 points) and Dexter Maiquez (10 points) combined for 33 points. 

Choi Ignacio and Leo De Vera each scored 14 points for Liver Wonders, who took a 48-44 edge on points in the paint despite being outrebounded, 43-50.

The Liver Wonders did close to within, 79-84, on Mike Calisaan and Jamil Ortuoste’s three-point plays with 1:34 left in the contest. But AMA sued for time and Taganas scored on a near-perfect inbound play before scoring two of the team’s last three points from the line to seal the victory.   

The Mixers were as dominant against the Warriors, holding their rivals to just three baskets in the first quarter to seize a commanding 23-6 lead.

They were never threatened from there.

“I thought we worked the ball well and we defended excellently and that’s why we got a big lead early,” said Kera Mix coach Caloy Garcia.