By Jerome Lagunzad
Games Today
(JCSGO Gym, Cubao)
2 p.m. – Go for Gold vs Perpetual Help
4 p.m. – Che’Lu Bar and Grill vs Akari
New recruits Arvin Tolentino and James Martinez made an immediate impact yesterday as AMA Online Education survived Batangas-Emilio Aguinaldo College’s last-ditch fightback, 96-93, for its breakthrough victory in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City.
Guard Robbie Mañalang sizzled with a tourney-high 40 points, spiked by eight triples, but the Titans’ three prized acquisitions made big plays on both ends down the stretch that enabled them to hold off the Generals’ searing rally in the final period.
Martinez tallied 18 points, capped by an insurance freebie with 9.9 seconds to play, while the 6-foot-5 Tolentino hauled down a game-high 14 rebounds on top of six points, three steals and as many assists, doing enough to help fill the void left by injured big man Andre Paras.
“Kumuha talaga kami ng mga scorers. Kasi ‘pag si Robbie minamalas, wala ng gustong umiskor. Hindi tulad ngayon na may ibang options na like sina James, Arvin and Kyles (Lao),” said Titans coach Mark Herrera, pleased with their new faces’ initial showing as they finally broke the ice after four tries.
In other league developments, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial has granted the request of Mila’s Lechon team management to disband its talent-stricken squad following its miserable start in the tournament.
Team owner Aika Salanguit sat down with PBA technical head Eric Castro yesterday and cited internal problem as the main reason why the newcomer Mighty Roasters put an abrupt end to their title campaign following a dreadful 0-4 start.
However, Salanguit promised that Mila’s Lechon, which lost by an average margin of 26.25 points per game highlighted by a numbing 102-55 defeat to Zark’s Burgers last week, will join next conference with an improved and competitive roster.