ALL-FILIPINO (First) Conference champion Valenzuela Workhorse opened its bid for back-to-back titles by clobbering Marikina Shoelanders, 98-79, in the Metro League Reinforced (2nd) Conference at the Valenzuela City Astrodome.
Playing before home fans, the Workhorses jumped to a 43-32 lead at the break and never looked back as the lead ballooned to as many as 25 points.
John Tayontong sizzled with 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals for Valenzuela, which joined Caloocan atop the Northern Division on 1-0 slates.
Reneford Ruaya and Erwin Sta. Maria added 15 and 13 points, respectively, for the wards of former PBA player and proud Valenzuelano Gerry Esplana.
Marlon Basco, another former PBA player, had his 17 points and 12 rebounds wasted in the loss of Marikina which slid to 0-1.
Celebrity-athlete Gerald Anderson also showed his wares with 15 points, five rebounds and five assists but still weren’t enough to lift the Shoelanders to victory.
In the other game. Taguig City Generals edged out Quezon City Generals in a low scoring affair, 65-59, to also open its campaign on a winning note.
The scores:
First Game
Taguig 65 - Ojuola 15, Gilbero 9, Rublico 9, Francisco 7, Uyloan 6, Monte 6, Mayo 4, Alcantara 3, Gozum 2, Oliveria 2, Sampurna 2, Lontoc 0, Guiyab 0, Fabian 0, Orodlo 0.
Quezon City 59 -- Comia 19, Estoce 16, Quattara 6, Mahari 6, Vasallo 5, Asuncion 3, Espanola 2, Bellosillo 2, Barraquias 0, Melegrito 0, Delos Reyes 0, Riva 0, Macaballug 0, Udjan 0.
Quarterscores: 14-7, 26-20, 43-37, 65-59.
Second Game
Valenzuela 98 -- Tayongtong 18, Ruaya 15, Sta. Maria 13, Kalaw 10, Esplana 6, Diego 6, Dulalia 5, Monteclaro 5, Pascua 4, Rivera 4, Natividad 4, Dela Cruz 2, Gamboa 1.
Marikina 79 - Basco Marlon 17, Anderson 15, Mabigat 10, Basco Mario Jr. 10, Deles 9, Limin 5, Mendoza 5, Gines 3, Gali 2, Po 2, Llabres 1, Zapanta 0, Catipay 0.
Quarterscores: 21-15, 43-32, 65-54, 98-79.
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