Muntinlupa fans get rare treat: a long-awaited win
One of the most intimidating homecourts in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) in the past two seasons, the Muntinlupa Sports Complex was nowhere near filled to its capacity on Tuesday night.
More than a year removed from a finals appearance in the inaugural season, the Muntinlupa Cagers have found themselves in an early rut in the Lakan Season with a lineup weakened by departures of four of their five starters.
But the sparse crowd that showed up for the duel against the streaking Quezon City Capitals witnessed something rare even from previous iterations of the Cagers.
With three players delivering career performances and a highlight worthy of play of the year, the Cagers subdued the Capitals, 106-100, for just their third win in eight games.
Jamil Ortuoste delivered a career-best 24 points, Ryusei Koga dished out a double-double of 22 points and 14 assists and Edcel Mag-isa tallied 23 points and 11 rebounds as the Cagers snapped the Capitals’ three-game winning streak.
“I know it’s been a struggle for us this season, but I’m just thankful that our supporters are still here with us,” an emotional Koga addressed the crowd after the game.
“We will always try to improve every game for you to have a team that you can be proud of.”
Koga, a former San Beda standout, linked up with Biboy Enguio for the game’s biggest play.
With 10 seconds remaining in the third period, Koga found Enguio on a backdoor cut, lobbing the ball for the 6-foot-1 Enguio to slam it home to the delight of the home crowd.
The loss spoiled the return of Aaron Black for the Capitals as the former Ateneo guard finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and nine assists.
Earlier, Makati got back on track with a 73-67 triumph over a shorthanded Cebu team, while Parañaque drew another vintage performance from Jemal Vizcarra to stun Imus, 81-77.
Jeckster Apinan fired 21 points, including eight in the fourth quarter, and grabbed seven rebounds as the Super Crunch solidified their hold of third spot with a 5-1 record.
Vizcarra, a former University of Santo Tomas gunner, finished with 23 points, including five straight down the stretch as the Patriots fought back from a late deficit to snap a two-game slide.
