Mark Adrian Mallari saved his best for last, exploding for 35 points yesterday to power resilient Pampanga past Iloilo, 101-94, in a riveting championship game that concluded the 2016 Cloudfone-Batang PBA National Finals at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.
Named Most Valuable Player for his heroics, Mallari stood at the forefront of a mighty Pampanga comeback from 70-64 at the start of the fourth quarter in a rally reminiscent of their counterattack from 13 points down against Iloilo in the preliminaries.
Scores:
DAVAO 93 – Cuajao 20, Alloso 16, Paquera 12, Reyes 12, Escalera 10, Villanueva 10, Pacifico 6, Aballe 4, Jamora 2, Villlasenda 1, Duran 0, Dataya 0.
LAGUNA 65 – Alanguilan 12, Trinidad 10, Canet 10, Clauss 8, Defante 7, dela Cruz 6, Mance 4, Batayon 3, Limun 3, Los Banes 2, Maat 0, Cuesta 0.
Quarters: 24-24; 44-36; 72-49; 93-65
Second Game:
PAMPANGA 101 – Mallari 35, Pangilinan M. 21, Bondoc 19, Baluyut 17, Sarmiento 3, Briones 2, Paule 2, Casing-Casing 2, Delfino 0, Miclat 0, Pangilinan R. 0, Crisologo 0.
ILOILO 94 – Gaborno 20, Cuerbo 18, Nahine 14, Bajon 14, Calamaan 8, Dalumpines 8, Estonilo 4, Suares 3, Tono 3, Jimenez 2, Palis 0, Palmos 0.
Quarters: 19 -17; 40-46; 64-70; 101-94