Orin Catacutan scored 5 points, including the clinching foul throw with 6.7 seconds left, as the Valenzuela Classic rallied to stun the Pangasinan Heatwaves, 86-85, on Friday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Baskteball League) Sixth Season at the Wes Arena in Valenzuela City.
Other games saw Bataan gain a share of the lead with an 86-74 victory over Bacolod and Sarangani thwart Mindoro’s fiery rally, 99-93.
Also playing key roles in Valenzuela’s reversal were Dennis Santos, who canned the game-tying triple with 32.8 seconds to go, and Michael Angelo Macion, who made two charities, against only four points for Pangasinan in the homestretch.
Valenzuela rebounded from its 76-82 loss to Zamboanga in the 30-team tournament inaugurals on April 6, while newcomer Pangasinan absorbed its second straight defeat even with multi-titled mentor Jerson Cabiltes at the helm.
Catacutan, a 6-foot-2 high-flying winger out of St. Clare College, wound up with 23 points, including 8 in the fourth quarter, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block for the Classic of Coach Jhon Velasquez.
Valenzuela also drew 15 points and 3 rebounds from Nemesis Dela Cruz, 12 points and 3 rebounds from Macion, and 12 points plus 7 rebounds and 2 assists from Santos.
The Heatwaves got 21 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals from Ian Melencio, 16 points, 10 assists and 3 steals from Hesed Gabo, and 11 points from Ed Daquiaog.
It was a strong performance by Valenzuela, which held the lead for a total of 33 minutes and 32 seconds against only 4 minutes and 20 seconds for Pangasinan.
Bataan, which climbed to 2-0 in the company of Negros, Zamboanga and expansion team Abra, drew 15 points and 7 rebounds from Rhaffy Octobre, 11 points from Yves Sazon, 8 points plus 10 rebounds from Alex Ramos and 8 poinys plus 3 rebounds and 3 assists from jason Castro.
Bacolod, which dropped to 0-2, got 14 points and 4 rebounds from LA Casinilio, followed by Nichole John Ublade and Jacob Galicia with 9 points each.
Sarangani pulled away, 79-56, before the third quarter ended, only to see Mindoro cluster 18 points and knot the count at 91.
