A torrid outing by Chris De Chavez was not enough for the Valenzuela-SPV TOP Marketplace Classic to withstand a furious fourth-quarter rally by the Parañaque Patriots.
Behind Jemal Vizcarra and Dwight Saguitguit, Paranaque silenced Valenzuela, 89-83, Wednesday evening at the Valenzuela Astrodome.
Valenzuela led by as much as 20 points in the game and 12 entering the final frame. The quartet Vizcarra, Saguiguit, Keith Pido, and Jayboy Solis slowly chipped into the lead, eventually tasting its first lead with 6:30 left after three free throws by Solis.
The run of Paranaque did not stop there as they would lead by as much as nine points to stun the Classic.
Vizcarra finished with 27 points spikers by five triples while Saguiguit added 17 markers.
De Chavez’s MPBL record nine treys went for naught.
In the first game, Ronjay Buenafe and Alwin Alday connived to lift the Bicol Volcanoes to their first-ever win in the MPBL, taking an 82-70 win over the Pampanga Giant Lanterns.
Buenafe, who had 15 points during opening day, had 20 points while Alday and Alex Nuyles finished with 15 and 10 markers, respectively.
Mark Cruz, who had a triple-double in his MPBL debut, was limited to just nine points and eight assists in this game.
Michael Juico paced Pampanga with 14 points and seven rebounds while Felix Apreku gobbled 16 boards.
The Scores:
First Game:
Bicol 82 – Buenafe 20, Alday 15, Nuyles 10, Milagrosa 9, Mondragon 8, Guerrero 8, Sabayo 5, Aldave 4, Lalata 2, Ongteco 1, Lao 0, Manalang 0, Gandol 0, Gusi 0.
Pampanga 70 – Juico 14, Cervantes 10, Maiquez 10, Hernandez 9, Cruz 9, Apreku 8, Thompson 6, Baltazar 3, Alberto 1, Salcedo 0, Fabian 0, Enriquez 0, Acuno 0.
Quarterscores: 19-23, 47-38, 66-51, 82-70.
Second Game:
Paranaque 89 – Vizcarra 27, Saguiguit 17, Solis 11, Almajeda 8, Begaso 8, Lucente 4, Antonares 4, Pido 4, Mangalino 2, Rabe 2, Banzali 1, Castalleno 1, Leonida 0, Abugan 0.
Valenzuela 83 – De Chavez Ch. 29, Ruaya 13, Asuncion 13, Mabigat 7, Varilla 6, Hubalde 5, Alcober 4, Andaya 4, De Chavez Ca. 2, Gimpayan 0, Ricafort 0, Cabrera 0, Esplana 0, Sta. Maria 0, Pagcalinawan 0.
Quarterscores: 21-23, 37-51, 56-68, 89-83
