CALOOCAN and Quezon City TODA Aksyon took different routes toward victories in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Amoranto Gym in Quezon City on Tuesday.
The Batang Kankaloo defused Iloilo's rally and won, 80-70, while the Capitals led throughout in an 87-65 demolition of Bulacan in the round-robin eliminations of the 29-team tournament.
Joshua Flores presided over the Batang Kankaloo's 10th win against six losses with 14 points, including eight in the fourth quarter, and six rebounds, as Ronnie Matias and Jeramer Cabanag backed him up with 13 points each.
Caloocan, though, had to withstand CJ Cansino's 13-point fourth quarter explosion to hand the Royals their 12th loss in 19 starts.
Converting 6-of-11 triple tries, Cansino poured in 27 points on top of six rebounds, four assists, four steals, and a block for Iloilo, which threatened at 67-70. They also got 15 points from Ry De La Rosa and 11 from Gwyne Capacio.
Meanwhile, powered by JP Cauilan and Hubert Cani with 14 points each, QC led by as far 36 points, 73-37, before the end of the third quarter en route to a 9-11 card.
The Capitals also drew 10 points from homegrown Michael Are and nine each from Chino Mosqueda and JJ Gesalem.
The Kuyas absorbed their tenth straight defeat and are now mired at 2-19 despite the 17-point, 7-rebound, 5-assist effort of John Cayno Carandang, Ralph Manzo's 10-point, 11-rebound output, Andrei Dulalia's 10-point, 7-rebound contribution, and Jason Celis' 10 points.
Muntinlupa also gets going
In the other game, Muntinlupa trounced Imus, 76-63, in the opener and climbed to 7-13.
Errol Bongay paced the Cagers with 19 points, nine rebounds, and three assists, followed by Jasper Cuevas with 16 points and Alfred Flores with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists.
Also-ran Imus tumbled to 1-19, as only Carlo De Chavez and Kido Cabrera fought back with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
The MPBL returns to the Cuneta Astrodome on Wednesday with games pitting Manila against Muntinlupa at 4 p.m., Valenzuela against Nueva Ecija at 6 p.m., and Paranaque against Pasay at 8 p.m.
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