Newcomer Abra finally displayed its potential in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season elimination round with a 94-68 demolition of Manila on Tuesday at the Strike Gym in Bacoor, Cavite.
The Weavers started the game with a 14-point cluster and sustained the fire to register their fourth win against five losses.
John Lloyd Clemente sparked Abra's onslaught with 23 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Felipe Chavez, Mac Tallo, Michael Canete, and Jeepy Faundo provided additional fuel for the Weavers, who rebounded from a shock 76-80 loss to Mindoro a week ago.
Chavez tallied 12 points, five rebounds, and six assists; Tallo notched 11 points, five rebounds, and four assists; Canete had 10 points and 10 rebounds plus six assists, and Faundo got 10 points and eight rebounds.
Manila, on the other hand, fell to 5-4 as only Shawn Umali with 16 points and Rabeh Al-Hussaini with 14 clicked offensively. Greg Slaughter was again in the Stars' submitted game day lineup, but did not play.
Before that, San Juan flaunted its depth and power with a 95-65 drubbing of Mindoro to grab the solo lead.
All but one of the 13 players fielded by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada scored as the Knights secured their seventh straight win in as many starts with a 93-60 spread late in the fourth quarter.
San Juan, the MPBL Datu Cup champion, overtook the 6-0 slates of Nueva Ecija, Quezon, and Binan.
Michael Calisaan paced a balanced offensive for the Knights with 16 points, nine rebounds, and three assists, followed by Marwin Taywan with 15 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Top gun Orlan Wamar and Nikko Panganiban also contributed 11 points each for San Juan, who dominated the shaded lane, 59-38, to produce 52 points against 30 for Mindoro, which slipped to 3-6.
Andoy Estrella was the lone Tamaraw in twin digits with 11.
Caloocan trounced Bicolandia, 98-86, in the opener to raise its record to 5-1.
With 13 players scoring at least two points, the Batang Kankaloo led by as big as 67-43 before cruising home.
Ronnie Matias powered Caloocan with 16 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, five steals, and two blocks, followed by Rommel Calahat with 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists plus two steals, and Joel Lee Yu with 14 points and four assists.
Bicolandia suffered its 9th straight defeat despite the 17-point outputs of RJ Deles and Marvin Lee.
The MPBL goes to the Alonte Sports Complex in Binan on Wednesday with Marikina battling South Cotabato at 4 p.m., Quezon City tackling Imus at 6 p.m. and Zamboanga tangling with Paranaque at 8 p.m.
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