MPBL: Caloocan escapes Bacoor in 2 OTs; San Juan, Iloilo prevail
Paul Sang lifts Caloocan past Bacoor in 2 OTs. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Caloocan pulled away in the second overtime for an 84-75 victory over Bacoor late Monday in the OKBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League fifth at Strike Gym in Bacoor.
The Batang Kankaloo rattled off nine straight points, capped by Paul Sanga’s triple, for an 80-71 lead to start off the second extension, enough to fend off the Strikers, who tried to cut the lead to 74-80 but to no avail.
Gabby Espinas and Jeramer Cabanag then sealed Caloocan’s third win with two free throws each.
Sanga finished with 14 points and 4 rebounds to lead Caloocan. Espinas had 11 points and nine rebounds while Reil Cervantes also chipped in 11 markers
The Strikers, who suffered their first loss after four victories, got 18 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals from James Kwekuteye.
Earlier, San Juan and Iloilo posted contrasting victories over Sarangani and Oriental Mindoro, respectively.
San Juan Knights’ AC Soberano. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The San Juan Knights routed the Sarangani Marlins, 103-87, while the Iloilo United Royals rallied from nine points down in the fourth quarter to overcome Mindoro Disiplinados, 86-79.
Powered by Egie Boy Mojica and AC Soberano, San Juan put the game beyond reach at 89-60 to climb to 2-0.
Mojica chalked 19 points and four rebounds while Soberano posted 15 points and seven rebounds for the Knights, who are coached by Senator Jinggoy Estrada.
Adrian Nocum also delivered for San Juan with 13 points and 6 rebounds and so did Orlan Wamar with 11 points and 6 assists.
Sarangani tumbled to 2-3 despite the 18-point, six-rebound effort of Jeff Viernes.
The United Royals, meanwhile, leaned on Joshua Flores, who notched 17 points and five rebounds in a losing effort.
The MPBL goes to the Batangas City Coliseum on Tuesday with Laguna facing Zamboanga at 4 p.m., Marikina battling Valenzuela at 6 p.m. and Quezon City tackling Batangas at 8 p.m.
