MANILA, Philippines - Caida nearly blew a 17-point lead but toughened up at endgame to blast AMA University, 103-84, to notch its second straight win in the PBA D-League Aspirantsp Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City yesterday.
The Tile Masters, behind Jason Perkins and Jonathan Grey, closed out with a stinging 22-6 run to frustrate the AMA side and score a follow-up to their 90-79 romp over the Tanduay Rhum Masters last Friday.
Perkins poured in nine of his team-high 16 points in the payoff period as Caida, which saw its 57-40 lead cut down to three midway in the fourth, thwarted AMA. Perkins also snared five rebounds while Grey ended up with 11 markers, six boards, five assists and two steals.
Joseph Terso also chipped in 12 points for the Tile Masters.
Jerramy King, Gab Dagangon, and Rashawn McCarthy came through with big baskets to rally AMA to within three but failed to sustain their charge in the face of the Tile Masters strong finishing kick.
McCarthy led AMA with 16 points and six rebounds, while King had 14 markers, five boards, and four assists. Dagangon and Jammer Jamito both had 10 points for AMA.
In the second game, UP QRS/JAM Liner tied Caida in the early lead as it dealt Tanduay its second defeat with a 102-86 victory.
Kevin Ferrer got 19 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while Paul Desidero got 16 markers for the Maroons, who beat the BDO-NU Bulldogs, 90-85, last week.
Sustaining a 10-point cushion throughout the second half, UP turned the tight contest to a blowout, unleashing a 15-4 run to race to a 21-point bulge, 98-77, with two minutes left in the contest.
Meanwhile, UP QRS/JAM Liner coach Bert dela Rosa said team consultant Joe Ward collapsed Monday and was taken to Capitol Medical Center for further evaluation.
Michole Sorela also got 12 points and seven boards for UP, while Kyle Neypes wound up with 12 markers.