Valenzuela trounced Caloocan, 119-107, to rule the North Division while Taguig survived San Juan, 88-77, in overtime to win the South title in the Metro League Open basketball tournament held last Tuesday at the Tañada Homeowners Association Covered Court in Valenzuela.
The victories of Valenzuela and Taguig enabled them to arrange a best-of-three title showdown in the tournament organized by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and supported by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
The Workhorses and the Generals were battling at press time at the Valenzuela Astrodome.
Five players scored in double digits for the Workhorses with veteran Erwin Sta. Maria leading the way with 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field aside from grabbing 10 rebounds.
Ford Ruaya added 23 points and nine rebounds, John Tayongtong contributed 22 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and three
shotblocks to help the Workhorses beat the Supremos in the two-month long competition which has Mobile App ng Bayan Barangay 143 as presentor, my|phone “Bida ang Pinoy” as official mobile phone, Spalding as official ball, and Synergy 88 as major sponsors.
McArthur Enriquez led Caloocan’s losing effort with 24 points.
Michael Perez had 18 points and five rebounds for coach Rensy Bajar. Kristoffer Torrado and Aevin Coquia also had 16 and 15 points, respectively.
The Taguig-San Juan game proved to be a thriller.
Leading the General’s charge was Nicolo Paolo Alcantara, who finished with 22 points, including nine points in the extra period.
Marlon Monte Monte had 14 points, five rebounds and five assists and Kevin Oliveria added 11 points.
Joshua Saret carried the fight for San Juan with 17 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals. Saret also sent the game into overtime, 71-all, with still 18 seconds left.
But Taguig settled the outcome with a 17-6 run in overtime.
