In his first competitive game in two years, Jayjay Helterbrand showed that he can still do it.
The former PBA Most Valuable Player scattered 14 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists to lift the Imus Bandera past the Caloocan Supremos in overtime, 78-75, Thursday evening at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
In extra time, Helterbrand proved to be clutch as he found James Martinez on the corner for the go-ahead triple. He followed this up with a find to Chad Alonzo to give Imus a 76-72.
Amid a chorus of boos, Helterbrand calmly sank two freebies with 5.7 ticks remaining to gain a three-point lead. Cedrick Labingisa missed his attempt to send the came into another five minutes.
Supporting Helterbrand was James Martinez, who had 26 points spiked by seven triples.
Almond Vosotros led the Supremos with 15 points and 10 rebounds while AJ Mandani added 13 markers.
In the first game of the day, pint-sized guard Mark Cruz stole the thunder of the debuting Mikey Williams as the product of Letran tallied a triple-double to steer the Pampanga Giant Lanterns to a 94-85 victory over the General Santos City Warriors.
In his first MPBL game, Cruz tallied 16 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds — becoming the eighth player in the league’s three seasons to finish with a triple-double.
With the NCAA Season 91 Finals MVP doing his thing, Imus led by as much as 20 points in the contest, 61-41.
Behind Mikey Williams, Gen San made a furious fourth quarter rally, cutting the lead to just seven. Felix Apreku and Travis Thompson though were there to restore order for Pampanga.
Williams, a former ASEAN Heritage Import for the Saigon Heat, had 27 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists for the Warriors.
The Scores:
First Game:
Pampanga 94 – Juico 21, Cruz 16, Thompson 11, Hernandez 11, Apreku 9, Maiquez 9, Gomez 8, Alberto 4, Baltazar 3, Cervantes 2, Fabian 0, Enriquez 0
General Santos 85 – Williams 27, Orbeta 11, Celiz 9, Cabanag 8, Raymundo 6, Landicho 6, De Guzman 6, Foronda 5, Vijandre 5, Bautista 2, Basco 9, Masaglang 0
Quarterscores: 26-16, 47-33, 69-60, 94-85
Second Game:
Imus 78 – Martinez 26, Helterbrand 14, Mirza 8, Anderson 7, Ngsang 6, Vito 5, Doligon 4, Alonzo 2, Cunanan 2, Reyes 2, Catimbuhan 2, Ong 0, Dedicatoria 0
Caloocan 75 – Vosotros 15, Mandani 13, Sarangay 10, Marilao 9, Escalambre 8, Sanga 6, Labingisa 5, Ambulodto 4, Tongco 2, Pacquiao 2, Torres 1, Jacaban 0, Demigaya 0
Quarterscores: 20-18, 35-34, 57-54, 68-68, 78-75.
