Twice-to-beat playoff-bound squads Quezon City and Taguig dispatched their respective counterparts Tuesday night at the Hagonoy Sports Complex in Taguig City to gain good momentum with the division semifinals just around the corner in the Metro League Reinforced (Second) Conference.
The Junior Capitals scored a massive 143-106 drubbing of Pasigueño while the Generals fended off Caloocan-Gerry’s Grill, 75-71, to tighten their respective grips on their respective positions in the North and South Divisions, respectively.
Nine players barged into the scoring department for Quezon City led by Adzhar Udjan with an efficient 16 points on top of 10 rebounds and two blocks in just 20 minutes of action.
Rod William Vasallo also contributed 15 markers, Mon Mabayo added 14 while John Mahari, Normel Delos Reyes and import Ibrahim Outtara chipped in 12 markers apiece for a balanced attack by the Junior Capitals, who scored the second highest output this conference after Manila’s 147 points earlier this month.
With this, the semis-bound Quezon City improved to 6-2 to seal a twice-to-beat incentive in the North Division of the M-League which is backed by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and with Barangay 143 as league presentor.
Jobert Medina and Timoteo III Gatchalian, on the other hand, scored 21 and 20 points respectively but hardly mattered as Pasigueño went on to drop a forgettable 37-point loss.
Good thing for the Pasigueños, they have already booked a ticket as early as last week in the South Division semi-finals of the M-League which is also bankrolled by Synergy 88, World Balance, Excellent Noodles and San Miguel Corporation.
Pasig slid to 3-4 slate behind South Division leaders Bacoor (8-0) and Taguig (7-2) which already clinched the top two spots for a twice-to-beat edge in the Division Final Four.
Meanwhile, Taguig derailed Caloocan-Gerry’s Grill’s route to the North Division playoffs following a close 75-71 win behind reinforcement Emmanuel Ojuola and Richmond Gilbero.
Emmanuel Ojoula set the pace with 19 points and 19 rebounds while Richard Gilbero added 17 more for the Generals who wrapped up their campaign at 7-2 card for second place in the South Division of the M-League that also has SMS Global Technologies, Inc. as official livestream and technology partner, Spalding as official ball, Team Rebel Sports as official outfitter, PLDT as official internet service provider and Manila Bulletin as media partner.
McArthur John Enriquez scored 20 points, three rebounds, and four assists while Reynaldo De Mesa and Michael De Leon put up 14 markers each in a losing cause for the Supremos.
With this, Caloocan fell to 4-4 fo fail on gaining an outright semis berth in the North Division of the M-League that is also supported by Gerry’s Grill, Summit Water, Alcoplus, Nature’s Spring and Goodfellow.
The Scores:
First Game:
Quezon City 143 –– Udjan 16, Vasallo 15, Mabayo 14, Mahari 12, Outtara 12, Delos Reyes 12, Melegrito 10, Estoce Jr. 10, Macaballug 10, Asuncion 9, Espanola 9, Riva 5, Barraquias 5, Comia 4
Pasigueno 106 — Medina 21, Gatchalian 20, Koga 18, Caranguian 16, Okwuchukwu 16, Sorela 15, Doroteo 0, Jacinto 0
Quarterscores: 34-21, 64-52, 104-90, 143-106
Second Game:
Taguig 75 — Ojuola 19, Gilbero 17, Guiyab 8, Francisco 6, Alcantara 5, Mayo 4, Olivera 4, Sampurna 3, Rublico 3, Subrabas 2, Gozum 2, Lontoc 2, Caduada 0, Monte 0,
Caloocan-Gerry’s Grill 71 –Enriquez 20, De Mesa 14, De Leon 14, Bauzon 9, Niang 9, Darang 3, Tay 2, Sombero 0, Flores 0
Quarterscores: 17-11, 40-33, 58-52, 75-71
