Nueva Ecija survived a gutsy Quezon squad before pulling off a gripping 87-85 win in Don Dulay’s coaching debut with the squad, but SGA-St. Benilde had a trouble-free ride in beating Manila, 95-84, to lead the winners in the PSL President’s Cup at the Filoil-EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Barely 48 hours after being appointed as head coach to replace Jerson Cabiltes, who stepped down from his post, Dulay didn’t have much time instilling his new system.
But the mainstays, led by Will McAloney, responded with big games.
McAloney finished with a double-double performance of 18 points and 10 rebounds, while four other teammates churned up 11 points or more for the Capitals, who squandered a 20-point lead, 55-35, they established 15 seconds before the half time break.
John Paul Maguliano contributed 12 markers, while Michael Mabulac, Billy Robles and Byron Villarias each produced 11 for the Capitals, whose defense held the Titans to just 38% shooting from the field (30-of-78).
Nueva Ecija, on the other hand, shot a steady 53% clip (33-of-62).
With the win, Nueva Ecija improved its win-loss record to 16-1 to fortify its hold of the solo lead.
The Capitals are already assured of a twice-to-beat advantage going to the playoffs.
Quezon, on the other hand, absorbed its third loss in 15 games.
SGA-St. Benilde turned to the trio of trio of Joshua Cajucom, Mark Sangco and Ian Torres, who combined forces setting up the Blazers’ torrid shooting as they led the team’s rampage right from the get-go.
St. Benilde scored 58 points at the half and led their rivals by 13 at half time.
Cajucom ended up with 20 markers on 7-of-12 shooting from the field.
Sangco, on the other hand, contributed 19, including four three-point baskets, while Torres chipped in 18 points on a near perfect shooting from the field.
One of the key recruits of the Blazers in the off season, Torres, formerly from NCRAA champion Immaculada Concepcion College, hit seven of eight attempts from the field while also grabbing four rebounds and dishing out four assists.
