Quezon Province led throughout and trounced Negros, 73-60, on Monday in the opener of their South Division quarterfinal playoffs in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
Powered by Judel Fuentes and LJ Gonzales, the Quezon Huskers surged ahead, 20-11, after the first quarter and never sputtered to move within a win of advancing to the semifinal round of the two-division, 29-team tournament.
Gonzales finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals to clinch Best Player honors over Fuentes, who posted 17 points, spiked by three triples, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.
Gab Banal also shone for the Huskers, the South's top qualifier, with 10 points, including two triples, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
The Huskers led by as many as 21 points (69-48) as they duplicated their 73-62 victory over the Muscovados, the No. 8 South qualifier, in the round-robin elimination phase.
Negros got 12 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists from Renz Palma and 10 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists from Felipe Chavez.
Although satisfied with his wards' performance, Quezon coach Eric Gonzales said they still have a lot to improve on individually and as a team to sweep the best-of-three series.
Earlier, Paranaque got the lift from JP Sarao and JR Olegario in the homestretch to nip Zamboanga Master Sardines, 83-79, in their series.
Sarao and Olegario split four straight triples that pushed Paranaque ahead, 78-77. Although Jaycee Marcelino gave Zamboanga back the lead with two free throws, Sarao sealed the win with a hook shot inside followed by three charities.
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Sarao chalked 21 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. Jielo Razon added 14 points and 9 rebounds, and Olegario chipped in 11 points, laced by three triples, and 3 steals.
Philip Manalang tallied 4 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds and ably orchestrated the plays for the Patriots.
Paranaque will try to sweep the best-of-three series at Zamboanga's homecourt on Monday, Oct. 14.
The Zamboanguenos drew 18 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists from Marcelino, 11 points from Rey Joey Barcuma and 10 points plus 8 rebounds from Joseph Gabayni.
The MPBL Playoffs continue on Tuesday with North Division games pitting No. 3 qualifier Nueva Ecija against No. 6 Pasay at 6 p.m. and No. 7 Abra against No. 2 Pampanga at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
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