Don Dulay’s coaching debut with Nueva Ecija wasn’t smooth-sailing after all.
In fact, the pro league champion coach encountered turbulence when the Quezon Titans made a last-ditch effort of snatching a victory via the backdoor, but the Capitals were lucky enough to survive and preserve a scary 87-85 win late Saturday night in the PS:L President’s Cup at the Filoil-EcoOil Centre.
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.
Down by 14, 62-76, inside the final nine-minute mark of the match, the Titans valiantly fought their way back with eight unanswered points.
The Capitals ended a near five-minute drought from the field as Robles’ triple followed by a three-point play by McAloney stopped the bleeding for Nueva Ecija, which once again posted an 83-72 lead with still 4:01 left.
But the Titans answered back with a 7-0 run.
Down to the last 31 seconds, the Titans were still breathing as Gab Banal, who stepped up big offensively, hit his fifth triple of the game to shove Quezon within striking distance, 85-87, and one big stop was all it needed.
Banal nearly completed his heroic acts for the Titans as he stole the ball from Roi Sumang with still 15 seconds left, yet Quezon couldn’t capitalize on the opportunities given as three-point attempts from Judel Fuentes and Topeng Lagrama failed to drop in as time expired.
