Zamboanga and Nueva Ecija posted contrasting victories on Monday in the MPBL (Maharlike PIlipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.
The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards routed the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo, 86-66, while the Zamboanga Master Sardines pulled off an 82-81 stunner over Binan Tatak Gel in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.
Chito Jaime pierced the loose Binan defense and drove in for the marginal basket with 1.2 seconds left, enabling Zamboanga to complete its climb from a 10-point hole, 69-79, in the last two minutes and tally its 16th win against 4 losses.
Renzo Subido and Jaycee Marcelino presided over the Zamboanguenos’ comeback from a 61-74 deficit midway through the fourth quarter, with Subido drilling in back-to-back triples in a 9-1 run that pushed them to within 78-80, only 12.7 seconds remaining.
Binan’s Nino Canaleta then got fouled on a double-team but drew an unsportsmanlike foul while swinging his elbow to protect the ball.
Canaleta split his two free throws while Subido made both for an 80-81 count with 5.1 seconds left.
Fielded back by Zamboanga Coach Louie Alas, Jaime then feinted left against Canaleta before turning right for the open layup that pulled Binan down to 11-8.
Marcelino wound up with 33 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists to earn the Daily Fantasy best honors over Subido, who finished with 17 points, including 4 triples, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Binan got 20 points and 10 rebounds, plus 4 assists from Kenny Roger Rocacurva, 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists from Pamboy Raymundo, and 11 points plus 6 rebounds from Canaleta.
Unlike Zamboanga’s bumpy ride, Nueva Ecija sailed smoothly to a 16-2 card behind Robby Celiz, JB Bahio, and Ryan Paule Costelo.
Celiz posted 20 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists, Bahio 12 points plus 7 rebounds, and Costelo 10 points for the Rice Vanguards, who moved beyond reach at 83-63.
Caloocan slid to 10-7 as only Joel Lee Yu struck back with 14 points.
The Negros Muscovados withstood the Sarangani Marlins’ final assault to prevail, 102-94, and climb to a 10-12 card in the opener
Behind by as far as 59-77, the Marlins threatened at 94-97, following a triple and a drive by Ryan Isaac Sual with a minute left. A costly turnover, however, derailed the Marlins and Ryan Reyes sealed the Muscovados’ victory with a drive, 99-94, only 25.2 seconds remaining.
Renz Palma delivered for Negros with 22 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds plus 2 steals, followed by Jonjon Gabriel with 18 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
Felipe Chavez also shone for the Muscovados with 16 points, 8 rebounds, plus 6 assists, and so did Alvin Capobres with 12 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, plus 2 steals, and Reyes with 10 points plus 7 rebounds.
The Marlins skidded to 4-16 despite Sual’s 32 points, spiked by 6 triples, the 17 points of Larce Christian Sunga, and the 10-point, 8-rebound effort of Jaymark Mallari.
The MPBL goes to the San Andres Sports Complex on Tuesday with games pitting Imus against Pampanga at 4 p.m., Davao against Marikina at 6 p.m., and Batangas against Manila at 8 p.m.
