Robbie Manalang tallied a conference-record 40 points and AMA Online Education finally barged into the win column on Monday with a 96-93 decision over Batangas-Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) in the Philippine Basketball Association D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City.
The Titans controlled the game early and never gave the Generals room to get into the groove.
If any, the breakthrough win was a sigh of relief for Coach Mark Herrera, who had sleepless nights as the losses pile up.
Herrera said he added scorers to the team to address their lack offensive threat referring to new recruits Arvin Tolentino and Kyles Lao.
“We got scorers—no one scored besides Robbie these last games eh. At least now, we have another option,” he said.
Manalang made 13 of 27 attempts, including 8 of 16 from three-point range.
The Titans also got huge contribution from James Martinez (18 points), Genmar Bragais (17 points) and Rocky Antonares, who chalked up a double with 12 points and 12 rebounds to finally snap a three-game skid.
AMA opened a 26-8 advantage after one quarter as Antonares and Bragais hit their shots early on.
The Titans built their biggest advantage at 54-26 on a layup by Arvin Tolentino 19 seconds into the third quarter.
After struggling for three quarters, the Generals got their going in the fourth to make the game interesting but ran out of time.
“Napagod na rin’ yung players dahil nababad masyado kaya nakahabol ang Batangas,” Herrera said.
Cedric de Joya scored with 21 points, Cedric Ablaza registered a double-double of 17 markers and 12 boards, while Garcia had 15 points, four rebounds, and four assists ior Batangas-EAC, which fell to 0-4.
In another development, Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Willie Marcial has granted the request of Mila’s Lechon to disband its team competing in the Aspirants Cup.
In a meeting with PBA technical head Eric Castro on Monday, team owner Aika Salanguit cited internal problem as reason for dissolving the team. She refused to elaborate.
Salanguit promised that Mila’s Lechon will join next conference with an improved and competitive roster.