Imus and Muntinlupa posted contrasting victories in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season elimination round at the people-packed Marikina Sports Center on Tuesday.
The Imus SV Squad battered the Marikina Shoemasters, 103-89, while the Muntinlupa Cagers weathered the San Juan Knights’ final onslaught to prevail, 91-90.
Earlier, the Manila Stars bested the Bulacan Kuyas, 72-68, in a battle of also-rans.
Already assured of slots in the playoffs phase, Muntinlupa and Imus raised their win-loss records to 15-10 and 13-12, respectively, keeping the sixth and seventh spots in the South division of the 29-team tournament.
Carlo Lastimosa fired 24 points while Hubert Cani added 12, all in the third quarter, as Imus pulled away, 77-51, late in that period.
Marikina skidded to 14-12 despite the 25-point explosion, 20 in the fourth quarter, of RR Casajeros, the 16-point output of Felipe Chavez and the 10-point contribution of Joe Gomez de Liano.
Muntinlupa banked on free throw accuracy to stun San Juan.
San Juan tumbled to 19-6 despite the 15-point, 10-rebound effort of Calisaan, the 15-point, 6-rebound, 4-steal output of Adrian Nocum and the 14-point, 8-assist, 7-rebound, 6-steal contribution of Orlan Wamar.
Unable to make a field goal in the last four minutes, Muntinlupa compensated by making 11 of 12 charities, with Dave Moralde going 9 of 10 and Ian Melencio hitting 2 of 2 in the last four seconds that enabled the Cagers to withstand the San Juan Knights’ rally from as many as 17 points down, 58-77, early in the fourth quarter.
