QUEZON Province withstood Makati’s final assaults and prevailed 80-72 last Saturday in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
Starting strong behind their outside shooting, the Huskers surged to a 37-20 spread before halftime only to be pursued relentlessly by the OKBet Kings, who threatened thrice in the fourth quarter, the last at 72-75 following a 5-point cluster by Emman Calo with 39 seconds to go.
The Huskers countered with a closing 5-point salvo to post their 10th win against four losses in the single round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.
Raffy Verano again shone for Quezon with 16 points, 8 in the last quarter, and 10 rebounds.
The 6-foot-3 former Ateneo Blue Eagle was supported by Alfrancis Tamsi with 13 points, laced by 3 triples, and homegrown Topeng Lagrama with 9 points, all from rainbow territory, and Mon Abundo with 8 points, four in the last 49 seconds.
