Biñan Tatak Gel found its mark everywhere and pounded Nueva Ecija, 99-82, on Tuesday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.
Lifted by Nino Canaleta’s perfect 5 of 5 shooting from afar, Binan canned 11 of 21 triple tries for a high 52.4 percent conversion rate, 18 of 21 free throws (85.7 percent), and 24 of 42 (55.8 percent) from the floor en route to its 14th win against 8 losses in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.
Biñan greeted the third quarter with a 10-point cluster, the last seven by Jonathan Grey, to pull away, 62-39, from which Nueva Ecija couldn’t recover and suffered its third defeat in 21 starts, trailing Pampanga (22-1) and San Juan (21-1) in the overall standings.
The Caloocan Batang Kankaloo erected a 20-point spread (50-30) early in the third quarter and used it as a buffer to trip the Pasay Voyagers, 77-71, and rise to 12-8, while the Paranaque Patriots subdued the Marikina Shoemasters, 88-78, and catch up with the Voyagers at 14-9.
Canaleta, a many-time slam dunk king before finding he has the soft touch, posted 23 points, including 10 in the first quarter, and 4 rebounds to clinch the Daily Fantasy best player honors.
Jeric James Pido provided support with 19 points, 5 assists plus 4 rebounds, and so did Grey with 15 points plus 4 rebounds, and Pamboy Raymundo with 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
Veteran Marc Pingris also struck for Binan with 8 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks.
Nueva Ecija, the 2022 MPBL titlist, got 16 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists from JB Bahio, 15 points and 3 assists from JC Cullar, and 10 points plus 5 assists from Chris Bitoon.
So overpowering was Biñan that the Lagunenses allowed the Rice Vanguards to lead only for 46 seconds (7-6) before seizing control.
Paranaque’s John Uduba posted 20 points and 14 rebounds to complement JR Olegario’s 23 points and JP Sarao’s 12 points, 11 rebounds and 2 steals.
Marikina skidded to 7-15 despite Eric Joseph Pili’s 22 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.
Jeramer Cabanag fired 15 points for Caloocan, followed by Paul Sanga and Gabby Espinas with 14 points each and Marion Magat with 13 points plus 8 rebounds.
Pasay got 20 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals from Warren Bonifacio.
