The Muntinlupa Cagers debuted in style on Tuesday, dumping the Bulacan Kuyas, 104-78, on Tuesday in the MPBL 2025 Season at the Ynares Center 2 in Montalban, Rizal.
After Bulacan scored the first three points, Muntinlupa bunched 22 in a span of six minutes and never eased up to hand the Kuyas their sixth straight defeat in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
MJ Barrera notched 18 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals, while JR Raflores posted 18 points, four rebounds and three assists for the Cagers.
Muntinlupa also ruled the boards, 54-41, through Mark Sarangay and Dom Matillano with 11 and 10 rebounds, respectively.
Other Cagers who delivered were John Cantimbuhan with 13 points, seven assists, two steals, and Marvin Hayes with 11 points, five rebounds, and two steals.
Bulacan got 30 points and three assists from John Rey Sumido and 14 points, 11 rebounds and three assists from Art Aquino, but no other Kuya scored in double figures.
MPBL Founder and Chairman Manny Pacquiao motored to this first-class town to watch the league's first sortie in the 8,000-seat venue, which was inaugurated on March 4.
The MPBL goes to WES Arena in Valenzuela on Wednesday with another tripleheader pitting Quezon City against Ilagan Isabela at 4 p.m., Marikina against Zamboanga at 6 p.m., and Binan against Valenzuela at 8 p.m.
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