Muntinlupa survived a last-minute fightback from Laguna, 89-79, Saturday in the 2021 Chooks-to-Go NBL Chairman’s Cup at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Trailing by as much as 14 in the fourth frame, the Pistons were able to cut their deficit to just two after a deuce by Ralph Pantaleon at the 2:17 mark. That capped a 10-0 run by Laguna, 79-81.
However, that shot by Pantaleon would be the last time the Pistons would see the ball fall down in their basket.
On the other hand, Biboy Enguio, Jed Mendoza, and Arnold Danga combined to score eight points to ice the victory.
Muntinlupa set the tone early, making the game’s first 17 points before King Fadriquela stopped the silence for Laguna.
Mendoza fired 18 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, three assists, and two blocks as the Water Warriors rose to 6-2, tied with Bulacan for third.
Enguio added 16 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and three blocks.
Andretti Stevens tallied his best game this season with 14 points.
Jeff Disquitado paced the Pistons with another triple-double, dropping 18 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and four steals.
Aries Santos and Alex Junsay led the bench of Laguna with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
The Pistons saw their three-game winning streak halted, falling to 4-5 with a game left in their schedule.
The Scores:
Muntinlupa 89 РMendoza 18, Enguio 16, Stevens 14, Danga 11, Cabeguin 10, Labrador 6, Codi̱era 4, Abarcar 4, Sabado 2, Villablanca 2, Madanlo 2.
Laguna 79 – Disquitado 18, Santos 12, Junsay 10, Sunga 8, Pantaleon 7, Daquis 6, Papa 5, Galamiton 4, Fadriquela 4, Rosale 3, Sandoval 2, Amil 0, Manacsa 0.
Quarterscores: 33-15, 52-40, 70-58, 89-79.
