Isang Pateros, the Valenzuela Workhorses, and the Manila All-Stars scored big wins in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)-backed Metro League Open on Sunday at the Caloocan Sports Complex to start their respective campaigns on a high note.
Isang Pateros surprised the Parañaque Green Berets, 78-70, Valenzuela subdued hosts Caloocan Supremos, 95-85, while Manila defeated the Marikina Shoelanders, 90-82.
Rickson Gerero scored 20 to lead five Pateros players scoring in double figures. Gerero also had 11 rebounds, six steals, four assists and a block. Pateros survived a poor shooting night, making only one 12 three-point attempts and was outrebounded by the Green Berets 77-59.
Mike Indoy’s 16 points led Parañaque which went 0-for-21 from three-point distance.
Erwin Sta. Maria topscored for Valenzuela in their win against the Caloocan, finishing with an opening day-high 33 points, three steals and two assists while shooting 15 of 26 from the field.
Manila played minus star player and former PBA standout Joseph Yeo but still managed to win over Marikina, with Jayford Rodriguez scoring 25 and Almel Orquina adding 21.
The All-Stars outscored the Shoelanders, 32-14, in the third to take control of the game.
The M-League has Spalding as official ball, Team Rebel Sports as official outfitter and Synergy 88, San Miguel Corporation, World Balance, The Manila Bulletin, Frabelle Foods, glitter.ph, Summit Mineral Water, AlcoPlus, Gerry’s Grill, Excellent Noodles, SM Supermalls, and Nature’s Spring as sponsors.
The All-Stars eye a second straight win and the early solo lead they take on the Green Berets in the 3 p.m. opener of a quadruple bill at the Hagonoy Gym on Tuesday where the host Taguig Generals debut against Solid San Juan in the 7:30 p.m. nightcap.
Quezon City and Las Piñas clash in the 6 p.m. game while the Shoelanders and the Supremos All-Star try to bounce back from their respective opening-day losses when they face off at 4:30 p.m.
The Scores:
First Game
Pateros 78 – Gerero 20, Singontiko 15, Quinga 11, Ilac 10, Mercado 10, Mabazza 7, Lopez 2, Cruz 2, Brojan 1, Capus 0, Pacleb 0, Bernabe 0.
Parañaque 70 – Indoy 16, Capacio 14, Geronaga 10, Rodriguez 6, Dalaten 6, Villareal 4, Custodio 4, Gusi 4, Encela 4, Elorde 2, Baguio 0, Torres 0.
Quarterscores: 16-17, 33-35, 58-51, 78-70.
Second Game
Valenzuela 95 – Sta. Maria 33, Ruaya 15, Esplana 10, Tayongtong 10, Natividad 10, Martin 8, Chua 5, Pascua 4, Luz 0, Espinosa 0, Gamboa 0, Rivera 0.
Caloocan 85 – Bauzon 18, Enriquez 13, Pacheco 12, Torrado 12, De Mesa 10, Sombrero 7, Principe 4, Ligon 3, Cabreros 2, Coquia 2, Tamayo 2, Perez 0, Buenaobra 0, Tan 0, Mayuyo 0.
Quarterscores: 26-23, 52-41, 71-68, 95-85.
Third Game
Manila 90 – Rodriguez 25, Orquina 21, Cruz 12, Mallari 9, Yu 9, Matignas 5, Acibar 4, Quiminales 4, Tubera 1, Luke 0, Martinez 0, De Villa 0, Manalo 0,
Marikina 82 – Castillo 16, Munsayac 16, Zapanta 10, Mendoza 10, Deles 6, Bautista 6, Caceres 6, Bernardo 4, Gervacio 3, Serilla 2, Paz 2, Vicencio 1.
Quarterscores: 14-15, 32-34, 64-48, 90-82.
