Cholo Anonuevo and Clint Escamis made their debuts for Quezon as the Huskers cruised past the Parañaque Patriots, 116-66, on Thursday at One Arena Cainta in Rizal.
The Huskers stretched their winning streak to seven games, improving to 14-3 in the round-robin elimination phase of the 26-team tournament. They led by as many as 60 points, 116-56, before wrapping up another dominant victory.
Quezon trails only the Batangas City Tanduay Athletics (16-3) in the South Division playoff race. The Huskers have ruled the division over the past two seasons.
Judel Fuentes led the balanced attack with 16 points, including four three-pointers, along with five assists and four rebounds. Rodel Gravera added 14 points and four rebounds, while Joseph Penaredondo chipped in 13 points and two rebounds.
Chris Lalata contributed 12 points and eight rebounds, while Anonuevo finished his debut with 11 points and seven rebounds.
Escamis, who previously starred for the Mapúa Cardinals, came off the bench and recorded eight points, four assists, and four rebounds in his first game with Quezon.
Ryusei Koga paced Parañaque, which dropped to 2-23, with 21 points, five assists, two rebounds, and two steals. James Mangahas added 10 points and seven rebounds.
(C) MPBL
Pasig snapped its losing streak with a 100-90 victory over Negros in the nightcap, keeping its playoff hopes alive with a 9-10 record in the North Division.
Jacob Galicia powered Pasig with 25 points and 18 rebounds, while Jerome Garcia added 21 points and five rebounds. Warlo Batac chipped in 20 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.
Galicia earned Best Player honors for his all-around performance.
“We really needed this win after painful losses,” said Galicia. “Unlike before, when we fell short in the end, we pulled through this time.”
Negros fell to 1-19 despite Reymar Caduyac’s 21 points, while Michael Alvarez scored 16. Jebb Bulawan and DJ Howe added 11 points apiece, with Achie Ingo and Marc Manalang contributing 10 each.
The Marikina Shoemasters led from start to finish in a 108-84 rout of Manila Batang Quiapo in the opening game.
Homegrown standouts Jomel Landayan and Eroll Soriano led Marikina as it built an 86-59 advantage and held on to improve to 7-15 in the North Division, keeping its playoff hopes alive.
Landayan, a product of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina, came off the bench to score 22 points on five three-pointers, along with three rebounds, to earn Best Player honors. Soriano posted 12 points, 15 rebounds, and two assists.
Fil-Am Gjerard Wilson added 13 points, five assists, and four rebounds, while RR Casajeros had 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists. JR Alabanza chipped in 11 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Manila dropped to 1-21 despite a 27-point effort from Joe Gomez de Liano, who also had five rebounds and three assists. Mark Doligon recorded 18 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists, while Jan Baltazar finished with 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
