MPBL: Zamboanga trounces Caloocan; Abra, Sarangani win

MANILA, Philippines – Zamboanga pounced on a misfiring Caloocan side and prevailed, 72-65, on Tuesday in the 6th MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Season elimination round at the Caloocan Sports Complex.

Powered by Jaycee Marcelino, the 2022 league Most Valubale Player, Zamboanga Masters Sardines notched its eighth win against two losses while pulling down Caloocan Batang Kankaloo to 5-2.

Marcelino barely missed a triple-double with 17 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds to go with five steals and a block. He was supported by Jayson Castro Apolonio, a former Pampanga Giant Lantern, with 13 points, four rebounds and two steals; Joseph Terso with 11 points and three assists; and Adrian Santos with nine points and eight rebounds in halting Caloocan's five-game winning streak.

The Batang Kankaloo, who could only bury 4-of-29 triple tries, got 14 points and four rebounds from Jeramer Cabanag; 11 points and five rebounds from Rommel Calahat; and 10 points plus five rebounds from Reil Cervantes.

The Abra Weavers bared their strongest form yet with a 94-57 drubbing of Imus Agimat A Drones in the opener.

Powered by John Lloyd Clemente, who posted 24 points, nine rebounds and three assists, the Weavers raised their record to 5-5. The former National University star was supported by Michael Canete and Will Keane Lee with 10 points each and NCAA Season 99 MVP Clint Escamis with eight points, 14 assists, six steals and four rebounds.

Imus tumbled to 0-10 as only Luis Gaveriel Tapenio fought back with 19 points and 13 rebounds.

The Sarangani Marlins bested the Marikina Shoemasters, 70-67, in the second game mainly through the 26-point, 6-rebound, 3-steal effort of Ryan Isaac Sual.

Other Marlins who delivered in their third win against seven losses were Charles Callano with 13 points, five assists and five rebounds, and King Destacamento with nine points and 11 rebounds.

Marikina fell to 1-9 despite the 16-point, 8-steal, 4-assist, 3-rebound output of Ahron Estacio.

The MPBL goes to the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Wednesday with games pitting Nueva Ecija against Muntinlupa at 4 p.m., Bulacan against Bacolod at 6 p.m. and Bataan against Batangas at 8 p.m.