MPBL: Manila trounces Zamboanga

MANILA, Philippines – Manila SV Batang Sampaloc pulled away after three quarters and never wavered to beat Zamboanga Master Sardines, 86-78, in the 6th MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Season elimination round at the Olivarez College Gym in Paranaque.

Powered by Joshua Torralba, the Manila Stars surged ahead, 70-56, then quashed the Zamboanguenos uprising entering the fourth quarter to tally their 19th victory against eight losses and secure the fourth playoff slot in the North Division of the 29-team tournament.

Zamboanga, on the other hand, wound up with a 20-8 card and tumbled from second to fourth spot in the South Division behind Batangas and Binan, which also finished the round-robin elimination phase at 20-8.

In the tiebreaker, Batangas emerged with the best goal difference, followed by Binan, and Zamboanga. Quezon Province (21-6) is assured as the South's top seed.

Like top North qualifiers San Juan (26-2), Pampanga (26-2) and Nueva Ecija (24-4), Manila will have the homecourt edge in the best-of-three playoffs against No. 5 qualifier Caloocan (18-9) starting on October 5.

The Manila Stars drew 23 points and 5 rebounds from Torralba, who clinched the Daily Fantasy best player honors, 13 points plus four rebounds from Jorey Napoles; and 10 points plus seven rebounds from 7-footer Greg Slaughter. Enzo Navarro also delivered for Manila with eight points, eight assists and six rebounds.

Zamboanga, which will battle Paranaque (17-10) in the South playoffs, got 33 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and four steals from former Most Valuable Player Jaycee Marcelino; and 13 points each from Renzo Subido and Joseph Terso.

Earlier games saw Iloilo subdue Sarangani, 72-69, and Valenzuela thwart Marikina, 71-66.

Paolo Hubalde, Reeve Ugsang and Mark Montuanop chalked double-doubles for Valenzuela, which closed its campaign this year with a 14-14 slate.

Hubalde posted 16 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals; Ugsang 16 points, 11 rebounds and two steals; and Montuano 10 points plus 12 rebounds. Carl Bryan Lacap complemented their efforts with 13 points and 3 rebounds.

Marikina, which skidded to 7-20, got 16 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists from