JAYJAY Helterbrand had 14 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in his first Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) game as Imus beat Caloocan in overtime, 78-75, on Thursday night at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
The former Barangay Ginebra cager also made all the right plays at crunchtime, dishing out two assists that led to a three-pointer by James Martinez and a lay-up by Chad Alonzo that gave the Bandera a 76-72 lead.
Helterbrand also sank one of two free throws with 5.7 seconds left in front of Caloocan's home crowd to give Imus some breathing space, 78-75, before Cedrick Labingisa missed a triple to end the game.
Martinez finished with 26 points on 7 of 10 from threes for Imus, which made a big move days before the opener by making the 42-year-old Helterbrand, a former PBA MVP, the biggest name to join the fledgling league.
Almond Vosotros scored 15 points and 10 rebounds while AJ Mandani had 13 points for Caloocan.
The Scores:
IMUS 78 - Martinez 26, Helterbrand 14, Mirza 8, Anderson 7, Ng Sang 6, Vito 5, Doligon 4, Alonzo 2, Cunanan 2, Reyes 2, Catimbuhan 2, Ong 0, Dedicatoria 0.
CALOOCAN 75 - Vosotros 15, Mandani 13, Sarangay 10, Marilao 9, Escalambre 8, Sanga 6, Labingisa 5, Ambulodto 4, Tongco 2, Pacquiao 2, Torres 1, Jacaban 0, Demigaya 0.
Quarters: 20-18, 35-34, 57-54, 68-68, 78-75.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
