Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines hit full throttle in the fourth quarter and routed Bulacan, 111-90, in the OKBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Fifth Season on Friday at the Baliwag Star Arena.
Pouring 36 points in the last 10 minutes, Zamboanga moved beyond reach at 103-75 before cruising to its 13th win against three losses in the single round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.
Jaycee Marcelino, the league’s reigning Most Valuable Player, again shone for Zamboanga with 26 points, six assists and three steals while getting ample support from Dexter Maiquez with 16 points and 12 rebounds, Judel Fuentes with 15 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals, and Joseph Gabayni with 12 points and six rebounds.
Bulacan tumbled to 6-11 despite the 28-point explosion of Rence Alcorica, the 16-point contribution of homegrown Benson Sebastian and the 11-point output of Jeremy Cruz, another homegrown.
In other games, Negros nipped Iloilo, 82-78, while Quezon Province drubbed Quezon City TODA Aksyon V Fresh, 81-63.
Riding the 20-point, 11-rebound, four-assist effort of Bernie Bregondo and the 23-point, four-assist line of Jun Manzo, the Negros Muscovados tied the Iloilo United Royals at 6-11. They were backed by Jose Longa, who drilled in 3-of-4 triple attempts en route to 12 points.
Manzo also converted two charities with 13 seconds left and so did Jonathan Gantalao with six seconds remaining to secure the victory for Negros.
The Royals, who rallied from 14 points down to threaten at 77-78, got 18 points and 11 rebounds from CJ Catapusan, 15 points, five rebounds and four assists from Tony Ynot and 10 points plus five rebounds from JR Ongteco.
Given more playing time, Lucena City Mayor Mark Alcala delivered for the Quezon Huskers with 16 points, including three triples, in 17 minutes and 23 seconds of action to earn best player honors.
The Huskers also leaned on Robin Rono, whose 12 points all came from treys, and Raffy Verano with 11 points plus three rebounds, to improve to 11-5.
Quezon City, with only Zeus Pedrosa reaching 10 points, trailed by as far as 48-73 and tumbled to 3-15.
