THE Marikina Shoemasters unraveled a marvel in Felipe Chavez and clobbered Bacolod City of Smiles 79-67 last Tuesday in the OKBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Fifth Season at the Batangas City Coliseum.
Not to be outdone, Batangas City Embassy Chill routed Pasay Voyagers 69-54 in the nightcap to join first game-winner Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines in the leaders’ circle of the 29-team league.
With the young Shoemasters trailing the veteran-laden Bacolod up to the third quarter 51-55, Marikina coach Elvis Tolentino tapped Chavez to preside over their offense.
Chavez, a prized find from Teresa, Rizal, responded by outscoring the entire Bacolod squad 16-12 in that span and leading the Shoemasters, composed mostly of homegrown players, to the first stunner of the long season that will last till December.
Dubbed “The Elevator” for his uncanny ability to dunk the ball at 5-foot-6, the 23-year-old guard showed his all-around skills with a statistical line of 17 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 steal in a 23-minute, 30-second stint.
Chavez got ample support from homegrowns Jason Opiso, who posted 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Deo Timajo with 13 points, the same as Rian Narra.
The touted Joe Gomez de Liano ended up with 3 points and 5 rebounds in his debut for Marikina, which has produced prolific scorers Yves Sazon and Enzo Joson, both playing for different MPBL teams now.
Bacolod got 15 points from Cantimbuhan and 12 points from Domark Matillano.
