ZAMBOANGA Master Sardines and Caloocan cruised to victories on Tuesday to gain traction in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
The Zamboanguenos ran roughshod on also-ran Bulacan, 103-63, while the Batang Kankaloo demolished Rizal Xentromall, 77-53, as well in the round-robin eliminations of the two-division, 29-team tournament.
Zamboanga's romp, coupled with Bataan's upset 85-82 victory vs. Quezon Province tightened the race for the No. 1 playoff spot in the South Division. Although the Huskers stayed in front with an 18-4 record, Master Sardines closed in with its 18-6 slate.
Caloocan, for its part, raised its card to 13-8, dislodging the Golden Coolers (13-12) from the seventh spot in the North Division. Only the top eight in both divisions will advance to the playoffs.
Drawing a triple-double from Jayvee Marcelino and supporting firepower from Bong Galanza, Tosi Tansingco, and Joey Barcuma, the Zamboangenos manhandled the Kuyas (2-23) all throughout.
Marcelino, filling the void left by indisposed twin Jaycee, posted 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, as Galanza tallied 17 points, Tansingco 12, and Barcuma 10 for coach Louie Alas.
Meantime, the Batang Kankaloo went full-throttle only in the fourth quarter, where Paul Sanga and Reil Cervantes combined for 10 of their 24 points, outscoring the entire Rizal crew's nine.
Jeramer Cabanag led Caloocan with 14 points, including four triples, followed by Joel Lee Yu with 11 and Rommel Calahat with 9.
The Golden Coolers got 18 points from Bambam Gamalinda, 13 from Alwyn Alday, and 10 from John Apacible.
Bataan upsets Quezon Province
The Risers banked on Mitchelle Maynes, who returned from injury bay to tally career-highs of 33 points and 15 rebounds and spearhead their third straight win for an 8-16 slate.
Although out of playoff contention, Bataan showed its strength behind Maynes, Edrian Ramirez, and Jeff Santos, who fired 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Quezon tumbled to 18-4 despite the 24-point, 4-steal effort of Judel Fuentes; the 17-point, 10-rebound output of Ximone Sandagon, and the 12-point, 6-assist, 4-steal line of L-Jay Gonzales.
The MPBL returns to the Alonte Sports Arena on Wednesday with games pitting Negros against Paranaque at 4 p.m., Batangas against Nueva Ecija at 6 p.m., and Davao against host Binan at 8 p.m.
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