Bacoor Strike sa Serbisyo kept their slate unblemished after holding on to a slim 79-76 road win over home team Caloocan-Gerry’s Grill in the Metro League Reinforced (2nd) Conference late Saturday night at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
Bacoor thus improved to 4-0 on top of Southern Division and remained as the only undefeated team in this M-League that is backed by Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and with Barangay 143 as its league presentor.
In other games, Pateros notched a first after a 0-3 start, banking on a buzzer-beating jumper inside the shaded lane by Richard Velchez to beat Pasigueno in overtime 85-83 while Quezon City squeaked past Marikina 72-65.
After a neck-and-neck battle in the first three quarters, the Strikers managed to create a 79-69 separation in the last two minutes. But the Supremos would launch one last push with a 7-0 blast to strike within 76-79 in the waning seconds.
Fortunately for Bacoor, though, time was on its side as it held on to a narrow win.
Import Prince Orizu led the way for the league neophyte Bacoor with 20 points and six rebounds while Mark Montuano impressed with an efficient 19 points in just 18 minutes of play.
Paolo Castro also added 10 points, two rebounds and six assists for Bacoor which hardly felt the absence of other gunner Michael Mabulac who was to get married the next day.
Joseph Brutas tallied 26 points and three rebounds for the Supremos who fell to 3-2 and a share of the second spot in the Northern Division with Quezon City, behind the 2-1 of all-Filipino titlist Valenzuela.
In the second game, Jefferson Comia scored 14 points whole Ibrahim Outtara had 13 markers, eight rebounds, and three assists to pace the Junior Capitals who improved to 3-2 slate in the North Division that has Synergy 88, World Balance, Excellent Noodles and San Miguel Corporation as major sponsors.
Mel Mabigat, meanwhile, had 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and four steals to serve as the only silver lining for Marikina which figured in a close battle with QC that was highlighted by 14 deadlocks and 13 lead changes, so far the most closely fought game in the tournament which has SMS Global Technologies, Inc. as official livestream & technology partner, Spalding as official ball, Team Rebel Sports as official outfitter, and PLDT as official internet provider.
The Shoelanders slid to 1-2.
Aside from Velchez’s endgame heroics, the Metro Asia-backed Pateros squad leaned on a well-balanced attack as five players scored in double digits led by Rickson Gerrero and Inigo Arellano with 15 points apiece.
Pateros improved to 1-3 in the Southern Division while Pasig fell to 1-2 despite the huge double-double of 26 points and 17 rebounds of Eugene Toba Okwuchukwu.
The Scores:
First Game
QC 72 — Espanola 19, Comia 14, Outtara 13, Estoce Jr 6, Udjan 5, Delos Reyes 5, Riva 4, Barraquias 3, Mahari 3, Macaballug 0
Marikina 65 — Mabigat 13, Deles 10, Brown 7, Marlon Basco 6, Medina 4,Catipay 3, Mario Basco 2, Gines 2, Zapanta 0, Anderson 0″
Quarterscores: 15-14, 31-35, 56-52, 72-65
Second Game
Pateros 85 — Gerero 15, Arellano 15, Velchez 14, Quinga 12, Asis 12, Mabazza 8, Da Silva 4, Go 2, Pacleb 2, Marcial 1, Cayangan 0
Pasigueno 83 –– Okwuchukwu 26, Gatchalian 16, Gaco 15, Medina 10, Sorela 8, Caranguian 6, Jacinto 0, Rodriguez 0, Trinidad 0
Quarterscores: 16-19, 31-27, 51-48, 73-73, OT85-83
Third Game
Bacoor 79 — Orizu 20, Montuano 19, Castro 10, Doligon 9, Aquino 5, Descamento 5, Malabag 5, Acuna 4, Pangilinan 2, Maligon 0, Mirandao 0, Ochea 0
Caloocan 75 — Brutas 26, Darang 18, Niang 11, Bauzon 5, De Mesa 5, Enriquez 5, Sombero 4, Flores 2, Tay 0
Quarterscores: 19-20, 40-41, 54-54 79-76
