Jumbo Plastic ousts Sta. Lucio, forges finals clash vs Caida

Game Wednesday

(Malolos City Sports and Convention Center)

7 p.m. – Jumbo Plastic vs Caida Tiles

MANILA, Philippines – Jumbo Plastic outlasted Sta. Lucia Realty, 71-69, in their rubber match on Monday night to arrange a best-of-three finals duel with Caida Tiles in the PCBL Founders Cup at the JCSGO Gym.

The Linoleum Giants fought back from an eight-point deficit in the third period then turned to their ex-pros Alvin Padilla, James Martinez and Marcy Arellano for the important baskets down the stretch to win back-to-back games against the Realtors and earn the right to face the Tile Masters in the finals which will start on Wednesday at the Malolos City Sports and Convention Center at 7 p.m.

But the Giants had to wait for Jhaps Bautista’s potential game-tying three free throws in the last two seconds to determine the outcome.

The Sta. Lucia swingman who has played steady the past two games, missed the first charity, made the second and deliberately missed the third try. His teammate Jun Gabriel was able to get the rebound but couldn’t get off a good shot as time expired.

Jaymo Eiugilos and Mark Lopez finished with 15 points apiece to make up for the subpar game of MVP candidate JR Taganas, who was in foul trouble all game long.  Jeff Viernes contributed 13 and Padilla chipped in 10 for Jumbo Plastic, which was beaten in the battle of the boards by Sta. Lucia (37 to 27), but had five less turnovers than its rival.

For head coach Stephenson Tiu, winning two in a row over the Realtors in the semifinals of this event supported by Accel, Ambucore, Spalding and Aquabest, showed his team’s tremendous character.

“Yun ang sinasabi kong character. Ang sabi ko kung gusto niyong mag-champion we have to win this game no matter what and lumabas yung character ng team,” said Tiu.

Mac Montilla led the Realtors with 19 points, including a 3-pointer midway the third period that gave his team a 45-37 lead.

The scores:

JUMBO PLASTIC (71) – M. Lopez 15, Eguilos 15, Viernes 13, Padilla 10, Martinez 7, Arellano 4, Taganas 4, J. Lopez 3, Mandani 0, Acosta 0.

SANTA LUCIA (69) – Montilla 19, Escosio 12, Ilagan 12, Salado 8, Bautista 7, Onwubere 5, Gabriel 4, Celiz 2, Camasura 0, Wetherell 0, Vidal 0, Sarangay 0.

Quarterscores: 18-20, 31-32, 49-52, 71-69.