Caloocan bunched seven points in the last five minutes to turn back Paranaque, 86-80, on Thursday and gain ground in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season at the Bacoor Strike Gym.
Veteran Mac Baracael drilled in a turnaround jumper and a triple in that span to preside over the Batang Kankaloos’ sixth straight win and an 11-4 record in the single round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.
Earlier, Sarangani nipped Marikina, 105-103, in overtime, while Makati routed Quezon City TODA Aksyon V Fresh, 92-70.
Baracael ended up with eight points, all in the fourth quarter, to supplement Jeramer Cabanag’s 20-point, 4-assist, 3-steal effort and Reil Cervantes; 18-point, 3-rebound output.
Paranaque, which tumbled to 7-9, got 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists from Jielo Razon; 17 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks from Solis, 12 points and 3 assists from Pido, and 11 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists from Joshua Gallano.
The Sarangani Marlins drew four points from main man Jeff Viernes, a triple from JP Cauilan and 2 points each from Jessie Saitanan, Rafael Are and Jefferson Comia in the extension to subdue the Shoemasters and climb to an even 8-8 slate.
Viernes wound up with 26 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists to earn best player honors anew. He was supported by Cauilan with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, Comia with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, Are with 14 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals, and Saitanan with 11 points, 8 rebounds plus 2 steals.
The Makati OK Bet Kings, powered by Rob Celiz, Emman Calo and Marco Sario, led by as far as 90-65 before coasting to their 10th win against 5 losses
