Joseph Gabayni sustained what twins Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino triggered as Zamboanga Master Sardines thwarted South Cotabato, 85-83, on Monday and wrested the solo lead in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.
The burly Gabayni poured nine points in the last 3 minutes and 20 seconds to power Zamboanga to its fifth straight win in as many outings in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team regional tournament.
With Zamboanga trailing, 68-70, Jaycee scored on a drive, drilled in a triple and then fed Jayvee for another incursion that put coach Louie Alas’ wards ahead to stay.
Michole Sorela pushed South Cotabato to within 72-75, but Gabayni bunched 5 points against a basket by Marwin Dionisio to restore order, 80-74, with 2 minutes and 30 seconds to go.
South Cotabato, formerly Gensan, threatened anew at 80-75 following back-to-back triples by Val Acuna and Kyle Tolentino, only for Gabayni to knock in a short jumper that pulled down the Warriors to a 2-3 record.
Jaycee, the 2022 MPBL MVP, finished with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals and shared best player honors with Jayvee, who piled 13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. The 6-foot-5 Gabayni tallied 16 points and 7 rebounds.
Quezon Province came from behind to stun Manila SV Batang Sampaloc in the nightcap.
Xyrus Torres and Judel Fuentes split Quezon’s last 10 points with 1 minute and 23 seconds left as the Huskers erased a 60-62 deficit and climbed to a 3-0 card.
Fuentes finished with 17 points and 4 rebounds to emerge best player over Torres, who posted 11 points plus 4 rebounds, and Ximone Sandagon, who notched 11 points and 5 rebounds.
Other Huskers who delivered were LJ Gonzales with 7 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and 1 block and Domark Matillano with 9 points and 5 rebounds.
Manila slid to 3-2 despite the 18-point effort of Rabeh Al-Hussaini as no other Star scored in double figures.
Caloocan piled a big lead then coasted to an 80-73 wire-to-wire victory over Bacolod City of Smiles in the opener.
