Bacoor Strike sa Serbisyo hardly broke a sweat against the struggling Manila squad with an easy 102-75 win, to stay perfect in the 2019 Metro League Reinforced (2nd) Conference, Tuesday night at the Hagonoy Gym in Taguig.
After a slow 15-21 first quarter start, the Strikers uncorked 35 points in the second period and never looked back since then on their way to another victory in this import-laden M-League conference that is backed by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and with Barangay 143 as league presentor.
In the other games, Taguig Generals did not disappoint in front of their home crowd after fending off Marikina Shoelanders, 87-80, while Pasigueno came back to stun All Filipino conference champion Valenzuela, 94-87.
Paolo Castro starred with his 13 points, three rebounds and three assists for Bacoor which remained immaculate with a 5-0 slate to keep a stranglehold of the top spot in the South Division of the tourney which has SMS Global Technologies, Inc. as official livestream & technology partner, Spalding as official ball, Team Rebel Sports as official outfitter, PLDT as official internet provider.
Player of the Game Mark Montuano also added 12 points and four dimes, while import Prince Orizu had eight markers and 12 boards. Michael Mabulac came back big time with 12 points and eight rebounds after his absence the last outing due to his wedding.
Andrian Celada, on the other hand, put up 15 points in a losing cause for Manila-INGCO, which fell to 1-3 in the North Division.
The Taguig Generals of head coach Bing Victoria moved up to 3-1 behind the huge efforts of import Emmanuel Ojuola, who racked up a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Lerry John Mayo and Helino Francisco also added 12 and 10 points respectively for Taguig, which solidified its hold of the second spot just behind leader Bacoor.
Marikina, for its part, continued to struggle this conference despite the 21 and 17 points of Jebson Carl Po and Jimmy Brown, respectively.
Import Eugene Okwuchukwu led the way for Pasig, which leaned on a 32-point third quarter eruption to erase Valenzuela’s early 18-point lead.
Okwuchukwu dropped 32 points and eight rebounds. Meanwhile, ex-PBA player Jerwin Gaco was also instrumental with 14 points for the Pasiguenos who improved to a 2-2 mark.
Dan Natividad had his 24-point outing wasted in Valenzuela’s loss, which also slid to 2-2 in the North Division of this M-League that also has Synergy 88, World Balance, Excellent Noodles, and San Miguel Corporation as major sponsors.
Jeric Diego and import Hamadou Laminou also tallied 13 and 11 points, respectively, but still proved to be insufficient as Valenzuela momentarily paved way for Caloocan and QC to share the top spot of the North Division in M-League Reinforced Conference.
The Scores:
First Game
Pasigueno 94 — Natividad 24, Diego 13, Monteclaro 12, Laminou 8, Esplana 8, Pascua 4, Sta. Maria 4, Rivera 2, Ruaya 0,
Valenzuela 87 — Okwuchukwu 32, Gaco 14, Caranguian 13, Medina 8, Chavenia 7, Sorela 7, Doroteo 4, Gallano 4, Gatchalian 3, Jacinto 2, Rodriguez 0, Trinidad 0
Quarterscores: 19-26, 39-49, 71-61, 94-87
Second Game
Bacoor 102 — Castro 13, Mabulac 12, Montuano 12, Descamento 9, Ramirez 9, Orizu 8, Maligon 7, Miranda 7, Doligon 5, Bugarin 4, Mendoza 4, Malabag 0, Aquino 0
Manila 75 — Celada 15, Laude 12, Alban 8, Arafat 8, Acibar 7, Mendoza 7, Manalo 5, Yu 5, Balagtas 2, Castro 2, King 0,
Quarterscores: 15-21, 50-41, 69-59, 102-75
Third Game
Taguig 87 — Ojuola 20, Mayo 12, Francisco 10, Monte 9, Alcantara 9, Uyloan 9, Grevanni 6, Guiyab 4, Sampurna 3, Oliveria 2, Gilbero 2, Orodio 2, Subrabas 0, Gozum 0, Caduada 0
Marikina 80 — Po 21, Brown 17, Marlon Basco 12, Gines 6, Zapanta 6, Mario Basco 4, Llabres 4, Mendoza 4, Deles 3, Anderson 3, Galin0, Catipay 0
Quarterscores: 29-15, 43-35, 66-53, 87-80
