Caida Tiles downs Sta. Lucia, clinches twice-to-beat

MANILA, Philippines – Caida Tiles trounced Sta. Lucia, 90-79, to secure a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinal round while Foton held off Kama Motors, 87-84, to bolster its bid in the PCBL Founders Cup at the JCSGO Gym last Thursday. 

The Tile Masters rode on a 15-2 run in the fourth quarter to seize control then held on to post the victory, their seventh against two losses with one game left in their elims schedule.

“That’s really our objective, to get the twice-to-beat edge,” said Caida coach Mike Buendia. “We don’t know whether we end up at No.1 or No. 2, but we’re happy to get the bonus.”

Billy Robles led the way for Caida with 22 points while ex-pro Marvin Hayes chipped in 15 markers and Gio Jalalon added 10 points.

Foton, meanwhile, posted its first back-to-back wins in the tournament backed by Ambucore, Accel, Spalding and Aquabest, as it outlasted Kama Motors to stay in the Final 4 hunt. 

Allan Mangahas hit clutch baskets as Foton turned back Kama Motors to improve to 3-9 while snapping the latter’s two-game run.

Foton nearly blew an 18-point bulge but Mangahas drilled in a triple in the last 42 seconds to shatter an 82-all count before the Toplanders hung on to preserve the win.

Mark Montuano had a chance to tie the count after scoring in the ensuing play with a foul to boot. But he cracked under pressure and missed the bonus shot, enabling Foton to clinch the win with Ed Rivera canning in two charities off an offensive rebound off Levi Hernandez’s miss.