Parañaque survived Biboy Enguio’s 30-point eruption for Muntinlupa, 77-67, in the 2021 Chooks-to-Go NBL Chairman’s Cup, Saturday at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Ahead by just four entering the payoff period, Jielo Razon, Jayboy Solis, and Dwight Saguiguit connived on a 7-0 start. They then restored the Aces lead to double figures, 64-53, with 10 minutes to go.
Razon’s layup at the 3:42 mark proved to be the punctuation mark as Parañaque built a 14-point advantage, 75-61.
Muntinlupa came back from a deficit as big as 21 points after a strong conclusion to the second quarter and a stronger third frame, 53-57.
Razon led the Aces with 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists to improve to 4-5, tied with Laguna for the seventh and eighth places.
Saguiguit had 13 points and nine rebounds, while JR Galit got 13 and six.
Solis stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, five assists, four rebounds, four blocks, and two steals.
Meanwhile, Enguio went 11-of-23 to finish with 30 points to go with nine rebounds and three blocks for Muntinlupa.
But what was missing for the Water Warriors was Jed Mendoza’s production. He saw himself held to just 11 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Lloyd Cabeguin added 10 points, while the rest of the team – those who managed to score – had just two points apiece.
Muntinlupa fell to 6-3, still in the twice-to-beat area alongside Bulacan DF for the third and fourth seeds.
The Aces will finish their elimination round tomorrow, 4:00 PM, against Quezon. They hope to solidify their standing for a playoff spot.
The Scores:
Parañaque 77 – Razon 14, Saguiguit 13, Galit 13, Solis 11, Castro 11, Alves 8, Singh 4, Olegario 3, Quilatan 0, Geronimo 0, Lucente 0.
Muntinlupa 67 – Enguio 30, Mendoza 11, Cabeguin 10, Danga 2, Stevens 2, Sabado 2, Villablanca 2, Abarcar 2, Madanlo 2, Codinera 2, Labrador 2, Arias 0.
Quarterscores: 18-12, 42-32, 57-53, 77-67.
