QUEZON Province took the easy route toward the solo lead in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season elimination round on Friday at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
The Quezon Huskers trounced the Bicolandia Oragons, 115-86, for their 10th straight win that pushed them past the San Juan Knights and the Nueva Ecija Vanguards, both with 9-0 cards, in the 29-team tournament.
Pitted against the lowly Oragons (0-12), Quezon coach Eric Gonzales fielded all 15 Huskers at his disposal, only one of whom failed to score.
Lucena City Mayor Mark Alcala and Xyrus Torres led a balanced Huskers attack with 17 points each. Alcala added 4 assists and 1 rebound and was named the game’s best player.
Gab Banal contributed 10 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists while Domark Matillano added 10 points and 5 rebounds for the Huskers, who led by as far as 84-48.
Other games saw Abra rout Sarangani, 82-60, in the opener and Paranaque nip Caloocan, 73-69, in the nightcap
Joshua Gallano bunched 8 points to trigger a 15-point spurt that shoved the Paranaque Patriots ahead, 72-56, en route to their eighth win against four losses.
The Batang Kankaloo countered with a 10-point cluster but failed to reverse the outcome for a 6-3 card.
John Uduba tallied 14 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks to clinch best player honors over Gallano, who wound up with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. Keith Pido also shone for the Patriots with 11 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds.
