The Quezon Huskers rallied to nip the Rizal Xentro Mall Golden Coolers, 74-73, on Saturday and gain a share of the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season lead at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Pasay City.
Al Francis Tamsi scored six points in a pivotal 10-2 salvo to lift the Huskers to their third straight win that pushed them to the top with the idle Bulacan Kuyas and the Muntinlupa Cagers.’
Thomas Torres chipped in two charities and Ximone Sandagon added a dunk to complement the efforts of Tamsi, who poured 12 points in the fourth quarter and was chosen best player.
Tamsi wound up with 15 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, followed by Prince Rivero with 13 points and 5 rebounds.
Earlier, Bacolod City of Smiles drew double digits from six players to dump the Bicol Volcanoes, 93-82, and notch its first win in three outings.
Domark Matillano fired 17 points while Justin Alano, John Cantimbuhan and Ryusei Koga added 13 each for Bacolod, which also drew 12 points from James Mangahas and 10 from Mac Montilla.
Bacolod team captain Allan Mangahas contributed 7 points and became the 16th member of the MPBL 1,000-point club.
The Golden Coolers, who took a 58-49 lead entering the fourth quarter, had a chance to force overtime, but Art Patrick Aquino missed the back end of his two free throws with five seconds to go.
