Continuing its surge early in the 2019-20 MPBL Lakan Cup, the Bulacan Kuyas zoned in on the Basilan Steel, picking up a 65-55 win, Tuesday evening in Bulacan’s Capitol Gymnasium.
“We really want to keep the score low,” said Bulacan head coach Britt Reroma. “We know that Basilan is a high-scoring team, so we decided to engage them to a defensive struggle.”
The Kuyas, who rose to 3-1 in the Southern Division, limited the Steel to just 14 points in the final frame.
With their defense on-point, Gwayne Capacio took charge in the offensive end, scoring 12 of his 21 points to lead Bulacan to victory.
Helping out the former Ateneo Blue Eagle was Dan Sara, who scattered 17 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Junjie Hallare was the sole Steel who finished in double-figures with 11 markers. Lead gunners Leo Gabo and Jessie Collado were limited to just nine and two points, respectively — combining to shoot just 4-of-19 from the field.
In the first two games, old reliables and an upstart led their squads to their first wins of the season.
Winless in three games, Almond Vosotros made sure that the Caloocan Supremos ended their misery, dropping 31 points to bring down the Zamboanga-Family’s Brand Sardines, 83-74.
Vosotros was on fire all throughout the game, going 14-of-15 from the foul stripe while knocking down three triples for the Victory Liner-backed squad, who snapped their three-game losing skid.
Carlo Escalambre almost tallied a double-double for Caloocan as well with 12 points and nine rebounds.
Med Salim paced the 1-2 Zamboanga squad with 15 points as free throws doomed his squad, missing 15 of their 33 attempts.
After being denied a win in their debut, the Mindoro Tamaraws edged the Paranaque Patriots, 63-61, behind another solid game from Mac Baracael.
Baracael knocked in 12 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.
This time around he got plenty of help, particularly Sandy Cenal, who had 16 points on an efficient 7-of-10 clip.
Paranaque, who fell to 1-2, was led by Jemal Vizcarra and Rommel Mangalino, who had 13 points apiece.
The Scores:
First Game:
Mindoro 63 – Cenal 16, Baracael 12, Vaygan 10, Mandreza 9, Cinco 5, Bangeles 4, Saret 3, Ilarde 2, Bolos 2, Camacho 0, Brutas 0, Matias 0, Asis 0.
Paranaque 61 – Vizcarra 13, Mangalino 13, Pido 10, Begaso 6, Abugan 4, Castellano 4, Rabe 3, Almajeda 2, Antonares 2, Solis 2, Lucente 2, Saguiguit 0, Leonida 0, Sunga 0, Banzali 0.
Quarterscores: 17-14, 32-30, 51-47, 63-61.
Second Game:
Caloocan 83 – Vosotros 31, Escalambre 12, Sanga 10, Ambuludto 9, Labing-isa 7, Lasco 6, Sarangay 4, Torres 2, Marilao 2, Gonzales 0, Pacquiao 0, Tongco 0, Jacaban 0.
Zamboanga 74 – Salim 15, Juntila 11, Rono 9, De Vera 8, Reyes 8, Arboleda 5, Nalos 4, Santos 4, Jumao-as 3, Argamino 3, Cudal 2, Costelo 2, Ignacio 0.
Quarterscores: 14-13, 35-29, 60-51, 83-74.
Third Game:
Bulacan 65 – Capacio 21, Sara 17, Dela Cruz 7, Siruma 6, Abatayo 4, Taganas 3, Alabanza 3, Arim 2, Diputado 2, Escosio 0, Antipuesto 0, Santos 0, Nermal 0, Mendoza 0.
Basilan 55 – Hallare 11, Bringas 9, Gabo 9, Dagangon 6, Daa 5, Palencia 5, Collado 2, Balucanag 2, Julkipli 2, Solera 2, Alanes 1, Bautista 1, Lunor 0.
Quarterscores: 11-12, 27-27, 42-41, 65-55.
