Bacoor entered the win column on Monday afternoon, dismantling debuting Caloocan, 72-50, in the Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational powered by TM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Jerome Garcia, who went scoreless in four minutes of play in the loss to Bacolod last Saturday, poured 19 of his 26 big points in the first half.
The former Emilio Aguinaldo College, who also drilled six three-pointers in the match, was a point away from tying the tournament-high 27 points set by Orlan Wamar last Thursday.
With Garcia in the lead, the Strikers wasted no time in torching the Excellence. They then mounted a huge 19-point, 40-21 advantage in the second quarter. Caloocan only had five points in the second quarter.
The lead ballooned to as big as 35 points in the fourth, 65-30, off of a Salvador Galit jumper with 7:23 left in the game.
“Siguro adjustments namin ano, first game talagang ni wala kaming tune up game,” said Bacoor head coach Aldrin Morante as they were coming off a 73-71 loss to Bacolod last Saturday.
“Yung game namin talagang ‘yun lang after three weeks of practicing kaya medyo nangangapa,” he added. “Ngayon ‘yung practice namin kahapon ano e… Bale move on na. Natuto na lang kami sa pagkatalo namin.”
Richard Albo recorded a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Strikers while Paolo Castro chipped in nine points and three assists.
Bacoor moved to a 1-1 record in Pool A. Bacolod (2-0) remained at the top spot. Iloilo (1-0), Caloocan (0-1), and Negros (0-2) follow, respectively.
Pao Javillonar led the struggling Caloocan with 17 points and 14 rebounds in 24 minutes and 35 seconds of action.
Mon Mabayo added 13 points and nine boards. Meanwhile, skipper Cedric Labing-isa scattered six markers, six assists, and four boards.
Bacoor will take on Pasig next on Wednesday at 7:30 PM. On the other hand, Caloocan will face the skidding Negros tomorrow, Tuesday at 12:00 PM.
The Scores:
Bacoor (72) – Garcia 26, Albo 13, Castro 9, Doligon 6, Acidre 6, Canon 5, Galicia 3, Galit 2, Raymundo 2, Quilatan 0, Acuña 0, Malabag 0
Caloocan (50) – Javillonar 17, Mabayo 13, Peñaredondo 9, Labing-isa 6, Matias 3, Abastillas 2, Pacquiao 0, Gil 0, Lasco 0, Raflores 0, Santos 0, Rosagas 0
Quarterscores: 17-16, 40-21, 60-30, 72-50
