Caloocan struck from afar and toppled Zamboanga, 93-74, late Friday in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika PIlipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
The Caloocan Batang Kankaloo drilled in 14 of 23 triple attempts for a 60.9 percent conversion and 42 points that decided the outcome as the favored Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines could only make 6 of 18 rainbow tries for 33.3 percent rate and 18 points.
Joco Tayongtong, formerly of Quezon City, made 8 out of 10 field goals, including 2 triple, en route to 20 points in less than 20 minutes (19:28) of play to earn best player honors.
Jeramer Cabanag went a perfect 4 for 4 from beyond the arc while Alejandro Inigo went 3 for 4 to typify Caloocan’s hot shooting on its first stint in the 29-team tournament this season. Cabanag ended up with 16 points and Inigo 9 for Caloocan coach Ronnie Dojillo.
Gabby Espinas delivered 13 points, including a triple, while Reil Cervantes chipped in 10 points, including 2 triples, to surprise the Zamboanguenos, last year’s losing national finalists and champions of the 2023 MPBL Preseason Invitationals, who trailed by as many as 20 points, 57-77.
Zamboanga got 13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists from Jaycee Marcelino and 11 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists from Adrian Santos.
Earlier, Makati OKBet banked on Dave Arana to conquer the Paranaque Patriots, 76-65.
Arana pumped in 22 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and issued 2 assists for the Makati OKBet Kings, who pulled away at 70-52 before cruising to victory in their first game this year.
RJ Ramirez, formerly of Bacoor, and homegrown Marco Sario supported Arana with 9 points each.
The Patriots, with only Jemal Vizcarra hitting twin digits with 11, fell to 1-2.
In the opener, the Muntinlupa Cagers cruised to their third straight win at the expense of Laguna, 70-62.
