THE Caloocan Batang Kankaloo banked on Rommel Calahat and Jeff Manday to thwart the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, 65-61, on Friday and rev up their playoff drive in the MPBL 2025 Season at the Gov. Andres B. Bernos Memorial Gymnasium in Bangued, Abra.
Calahat, a burly former star of the San Sebastian Stags, bunched 8 points to push Caloocan ahead, 59-54, with 4 minutes and 14 seconds left.
Pampanga rally falls short
Pampanga, the back-to-back reigning titlist, threatened at 61-62, following a triple by Larry Muyang and a follow-up by John Lloyd Clemente, but Manday sealed the win by sinking three of four charities.
Calahat posted 18 points, 10 rebounds and 2 steals to clinch Best Player honors over Paul Hendrix Casin, who had 13 points, and Manday with his 11 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
Caloocan, which led by as many as 10-24, snapped Pampanga's 18-win streak in the playoffs since 2022 and moved a victory shy of the North Division semifinal round.
Archie Concepcion, who shoved Pampanga to within 45-46, tallied 16 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, followed by Muyang with 10 points plus 15 rebounds, and Jhan Nermal with 8 points.
The Giant Lanterns were hounded by their inability to sink their free throws, making only eight of 15 attempts. The Batang Kankaloo knocked in 12 of 19 charities.
Although Pampanga ruled the boards, 51-46, Caloocan compensated by committing less turnovers 13-20.
The MPBL visits the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City on Monday, with the South Division playoff games pitting Gensan against Basilan at 4 p.m., and Quezon against Mindoro at 6 p.m.
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