Kama posts 2nd straight win in PCBL

Games Thursday (JCSGO Gym)

4 p.m. – Caida vs Sta. Lucia

6 p.m. – Kama Motors vs Foton

MANILA, Philippines – Behind big games from its ex-pros JR Cawaling and Rudy Lingganay, Kama Motors picked up its first back-to-back wins in the PCBL Founders Cup capped by a hard-earned 80-78 win over Jumbo Plastic at the JCSGO gym late Tuesday night.

Cawaling, a member of PBA grand slam champions San Mig Coffee Mixers and who also played for Blackwater and Kia, led five players finishing in double figures for Kama Motors with 18 markers, including four three-pointers.

Two other former PBA players, Roider Cabrera and Rudy Lingganay chipped in 16 and 15 points, respectively as Kama Motors came from behind before pulling the rug from under erstwhile leader Jumbo Plastic in this tournament supported by Accel, Aquabest, Ambucore and Spalding.

Kama Motors’ victory put the squad in a three-way tie for fourth to sixth places with Cagayan Valley and Euro-Med, all carrying 4-4 win-loss slates. Jumbo Plastic dropped into a tie for second and third with Sta. Lucia Realty with the same 5-3 cards.

A 16-0 run by Kama Motors turned a 61-68 deficit to its biggest lead, 79-68, entering the final two minutes of the game, but Jumbo Plastic answered back with 10 unanswered points to come to within striking distance with only 13 seconds left.

Lingganay split his charities at the other end and Kama Motors came up with a big stop in the next play, ensuring the win.

Foton completed a similar come from behind victory in the first game over Supremo Lex, 96-92, to boost its morale heading to the playoffs.

Scoreless in the first period, Ed Rivera caught fire in the next three quarters and ended the game leading the way for his team with 25 points and steering the Toplander to their second win in the tournament.

The scores:

First game

FOTON (96) – Rivera 25, Nacpil 16, Gomez 14, Hernandez 10, Mangahas 9, Reyes 6, Enriquez 6, Rosaroso 5, Moraga 5, Penaflor 0.

SUPREMO LEX-OLFU (92) – Gabayni 21, Belencion 18, Escueta 16, Bitoon 10, Teodoro 7, Jornacion 5, Yaya 4, Juanico 4, Marquez 4, Santos 3, Rosales 0.

Quartercores: 14-22, 41-48, 65-75, 96-94.

Second game

KAMA MOTORS (80) – Cawaling 18, Cabrera 16, Lingganay 15, Calisaan 13, Montuano 10, Argamino 5, Ambulodto 2, Ludovice 1, Llera 0, Lunor 0, Saitanan 0.

JUMBO PLASTIC (78) – Martinez 14, M. Lopez 11, Viernes 11, J. Lopez 11, Padilla 9, Taganas 6, Perez 6, Arellano 5, Tayongtong 3, Mandani 2, Eguilos 0.

Quartercores: 19-19, 31-38, 60-59, 80-78.