Caloocan rallied for seven points in the last five minutes to defeat Paranaque, 86-80, on Thursday and make progress in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season at the Bacoor Strike Gym.
Veteran Mac Baracael contributed with a turnaround jumper and a three-pointer during that time to lead the Batang Kankaloos to their sixth consecutive victory, bringing their record to 11-4 in the single round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.
Baracael finished with eight points, all scored in the fourth quarter, in addition to Jeramer Cabanag’s 20 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals, as well as Reil Cervantes’ 18 points and 3 rebounds.
Caloocan surged ahead, 58-42, in the third quarter, but Paranaque fought back behind Keith Pido and Jayboy Solis, eventually tying the score at 75 after a jumper by Jeff Egan.
Paranaque, now at 7-9, received strong performances from Jielo Razon, who contributed 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 assists; Solis, who recorded 17 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks; Pido, who tallied 12 points and 3 assists; and Joshua Gallano, who contributed 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.
In an earlier game, Sarangani narrowly defeated Marikina, 105-103, in overtime, while Makati easily won against Quezon City TODA Aksyon V Fresh, 92-70.
During the overtime period, the Sarangani Marlins received four points from their main man, Jeff Viernes, a three-pointer from JP Cauilan, and two points each from Jessie Saitanan, Rafael Are, and Jefferson Comia, leading them to victory and improving their record to 8-8.
Viernes finished the game with 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, earning him the best player award once again. He was supported by Cauilan with 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists; Comia with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists; Are with 14 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals; and Saitanan with 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals.
Marikina, who forced overtime with a lay-up by Felipe Chavez, fell to 7-10. Marwin Dionisio, who fouled out, contributed 22 points and 9 rebounds, Chavez recorded 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, and Inand Fornilos achieved 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Shoemasters.
The Makati OK Bet Kings, led by Rob Celiz, Emman Calo, and Marco Sario, built a substantial lead of 90-65 before securing their 10th win against 5 losses.
Celiz scored 24 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals, followed by Calo with 18 points and 6 assists, and local talent Marco Sario with 11 points.
Despite John Karlo Melegrito’s 27-point, 5-rebound, and 3-assist effort, Quezon City dropped to 3-14.
The MPBL will continue at the Baliwag Star Arena on Friday, featuring matches between Negros and Nueva Ecija at 4 p.m., Quezon and GenSan at 6 p.m., and Muntinlupa clashing with Bulacan at 8 p.m.
