Zamboanga and Negros hurdled their rivals on Tuesday to share the top spot in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season elimination round at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Getting back to form, Zamboanga Masters Sardines dumped Mindoro, 86-72, while the Negros Muscovados sustained their strong showing by besting the Bicol Oragons, 75-68.
The Pasay Voyagers subdued the undermanned Abra Weavers, 78-72, in the nightcap.
Zamboanga and Negros tallied their third straight victories in as many games, while Pasay leveled its slate at 1-1.
Former MVP Jaycee Marcelino again paced Zamboanga with 19 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals in 29 minutes and 19 seconds of play.
Others who delivered for Zamboanga coach Louie Alas were fiery recruit Rey Joey Barcuma with 11 points, 4 assists plus 2 steals and burly Joseph Gabayni with 10 points plus 7 rebounds.
Dominant underneath with a 52-40 edge in rebounds, Zamboanga surged beyond reach 77-56 in the fourth quarter and pulled down Mindoro to 1-2.
Powered by Renz Palma and Jeremy Cruz, the Muscovados held the rein throughout against the Oragons, who suffered their third straight defeat.
Palma wound up with 20 points and 4 rebounds, while Cruz contributed 18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks for the Muscovados of coach Bonnie Garcia. Mark Atabay contributed 11 points and 9 rebounds while Hubert Cani posted 11 points, 3 assists and 2 blocks for the Muscovados.
Bicol got 16 points and 5 assists from Marvin Lee and 14 points plus 8 rebounds from John Edcel Rojas.
Missing the services of Top Gun Mac Tallo and slotman Prince Caperal, the Abra Weavers trailed by as far as 32-48 and dropped to 2-1 against the Pasay Voyagers, who leveled their slate at 1-1.
Pasay drew power from Laurenz Paul Victoria with 20 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals, Warren Bonifacio with 18 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks, and Patrick Sleat with 12 points plus 6 rebounds.
