MINDORO pounced on listless Quezon Province and prevailed, 66-61, on the back of Teytey Teodoro on Saturday at the University of Bangued Gym in Abra for the biggest shocker so far in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season.
Teodoro fired 21 points, including four triples, and grabbed four rebounds as well to show the Tamaraws the way to 6-15. Homegrown Jerrick Caspe backed him up with 13 points, seven rebounds, and three steals in dealing the Huskers their second straight defeat in 18 starts.
Quezon dropped to third place behind Pampanga (19-1) and San Juan (17-2), but stayed in front of Nueva Ecija (15-2).
With Jethro Sombero and Kint Ariar also adding six points each, Mindoro led by as many as 53-43 in preserving a 28-26 halftime lead.
Judel Fuentes retaliated for the Huskers with 16 points, spiked by five triples, but only Jason Opiso provided help with eight points and 11 rebounds.
Abra defends homecourt
Abra, meanwhile, gave its fans reason to cheer by routing Iloilo, 77-55, as Pangasinan banked on JP Maguilano's buzzer-beater to nip South Cotabato, 52-50.
Flaunting their deeper roster, the Weavers led throughout and by as far as 73-45 late in the fourth quarter to notch their 12th win against seven losses in the round-robin eliminations of the 29-team tournament.
Alfred Batino powered the Weavers with 14 points, nine rebounds, and three steals. Arvie Bringas provided support with nine points, six rebounds, plus three assists, and so did Niel Tolentino with eight points plus five rebounds.
It was the second victory at home for Abra, which also drew six points each from Mark Yee, Jeepy Faundo, Roi Sumang, and Paul Desiderio.
The Royals suffered their fourth straight defeat and slid to 7-13, as only Omar Larupay struck back with 11 points, six rebounds, two steals, plus two assists.
Pangasinan-South Cotabato was a thriller, with Warrior JP Calvo drilling a triple to forge the seventh and last deadlock at 50 with only 12.5 seconds left before Maguliano's jumper that proved to be the difference.
Ian Melencio shone in the Heatwaves' eighth win in 21 starts with 13 points plus 12 rebounds, and so did Allen Mina with nine points plus four rebounds.
South Cotabato tumbled to 13-7 despite Calvo's 16-point, 6-rebound, 3-assist effort and Jammer Jamito's 8-point, 9-rebound output.
The MPBL returns to the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan on Monday with a triple-bill pitting Sarangani against Negros at 4 p.m., Caloocan against Nueva Ecija at 6 p.m., and Zamboanga against Binan at 8 p.m.
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