PSL cagefest: Tigers, Capitals on collision course; San Juan makes quarters

MANILA, Philippines – Title favorites Nueva Ecija and Davao Occidental set up an early collision of titans in the PSL President’s Cup even as San Juan barged their way trouble-free to the quarterfinal round.

The Capitals, the Tigers and the Kings hurdled their respective playoff opponents just recently at the Paco Arena and booked seats in the Elite Eight.

Nueva Ecija bucked a sluggish start, but got its game going when it mattered the most to turn back Manila, 89-77.

Still trying to feel their way around under new coach Don Dulay, the Capitals trailed by as many as 10 points. But things started to change when Will McAloney, Rob Celiz and Michael Juico began to flex their muscles inside and Byron Villarias rediscovered his shooting touch, allowing Nueva Ecija to catch up.

McAloney finished with 15 points and grabbed seven boards; while Celiz also had a brilliant, all-around game of 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Juico flirted with a double-double performance as he ended up with 11 points and nine boards; while Villarias likewise tallied 11 markers for the Capitals, who are only on their second week as coach of Nueva Ecija, taking over the reins from Jerson Cabiltes.

“We’re still trying to improve as a team,” said newly installed Nueva Ecija coach Don Dulay. “I just took over recently, but It doesn’t matter who we play, whether Davao, San Juan, because we’re trying to improve what we need to improve, which is defense.”

“Defensively, we’re not there yet. But we have a few days to prepare against our next opponent. Hopefully, we can get it together.”

But if there’s someone more excited with the matchup between Davao Occidental and Nueva Ecija, it’s Tigers coach Manu Iñigo.

“Every possession, lalaban talaga kami dyan,” said Iñigo. “We’re very excited na makatapat yan kasi galing sa amin yung grupo na yan, mga kaibigan ko mga coaches dyan. Challenging para sa amin, pero we will prepare.”

Davao Occidental made a conscious effort on the defensive end and relentlessly attacked MisOr on every given turn to score a 92-78 victory to coast its way to the quarterfinals.

The Tigers forced the Mustangs to 19 turnovers and converted 20 points from those miscues.

Davao Occidental also scored 44 points inside the shaded area, 24 points more than their rivals.

Meanwhile, San Juan had a trouble-free ride dispatching Cam Norte, 122-81, as five players ended up in double figures.

Joseph Ubalde had a breakthrough performance, scoring 20 points and hitting 10-of-11 shots while getting ample support from the rest of the Kings, who will face the winner of JT Bulacan-SGA St. Benilde knockout match.

JT Bulacan forced a rubber match after bringing down St. Benilde, 66-64, as Itchie Altamirano caught fire in the endgame.