Zamboanga pounced on misfiring Caloocan and prevailed, 72-65, on Tuesday, May 28, in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season elimination round at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
Powered by Jaycee Marcelino, the 2022 league MVP, Zamboanga Masters Sardines notched its 8th win against 2 losses while pulling down Caloocan Batang Kankaloo to 5-2.
Marcelino barely missed a triple-double with 17 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds to go with 5 steals and a block.
He was supported by Jayson Castro Apolonio, a former Pampanga Giant Lantern, with 13 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals, Joseph Terso with 11 points and 3 assists, and Adrian Santos with 9 points and 8 rebounds in halting Caloocan’s 5-game winning streak.
The Batang Kankaloo, who could only bury 4 of 29 triple tries, got 14 points and 4 rebounds from Jeramer Cabanag, 11 points and 5 rebounds from Rommel Calahat and 10 points plus 5 rebounds from Reil Cervantes.
The Abra Weavers bared their strongest form yet with a 94-57 drubbing of Imus Agimat A Drones in the opener.
Powered by John Lloyd Clemente, who posted 24 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists, the Weavers raised their record to 5-5. The former National University star was supported by Michael Canete and Will Keane Lee with 10 points each and NCAA Season 99 MVP Clint Escamis with 8 points, 14 assists, 6 steals and 4 rebounds.
Imus tumbled to 0-10 as only Luis Gaveriel Tapenio fought back with 19 points and 13 rebounds.
The Sarangani Marlins bested the Marikina Shoemasters, 70-67, in the second game mainly through the 26-point, 6-rebound, 3-steal effort of Ryan Isaac Sual.
Other Marlins who delivered in their third win against 7 losses were Charles Callano with 13 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds and King Destacamento with 9 points and 11 rebounds.
Marikina fell to 1-9 despite the 16-point, 8-steal, 4-assist, 3-rebound output of Ahron Estacio.
The MPBL goes to the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Wednesday with games pitting Nueva Ecija against Muntinlupa at 4 p.m., Bulacan against Bacolod at 6 p.m. and Bataan against Batangas at 8 p.m.
