PASIG City MCW Sports surged away in the third quarter, then held off Caloocan’s rally to prevail 82-74 last Wednesday and revved up its drive in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Kenny Roger Rocacurva combined with Pierce Tyron Chua, Shane Menina and Michael Maestre to push Pasig far ahead, 45-22, from which Caloocan couldn’t recover.
Formerly of Cebu Institute of Technology and Letran, Rocacurva tallied 18 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals to earn best player honors as Pasig raised its record to 6-3 in the elimination round of the 29-team tournament.
Chan and Menina scored 13 points each, Maestre finished with 12 and Robbie Manalang 11 for Pasig, which was held scoreless for 6 minutes and 14 seconds, allowing Caloocan to threaten at 65-71 following a 14-point salvo and at 68-74 following a triple by Jeramer Cabanag.
Ryan Paule Costelo, however, bunched six points and Chan added two free throws against two charities by Gabby Espinas to ensure Pasig coach Boyet Fernandez of the victory, 82-70, with just 1 minute and 1 second left.
Caloocan dropped to 5-3 as only Cabanag found his range with 16 points, followed by Ronnie Matias with 11 plus 11 rebounds.
Earlier, Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines subdued Bacolod City of Smiles, 89-77, and the Sarangani Marlins trounced the Pasay Voyagers, 84-69.
Powered by MPBL MVP Jaycee Marcelino, with 18 points, 11 assists, 8 rebounds and 2 steals, and his twin brother, Jayvee, with 13 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals, Zamboanga rebounded from a 16-30 hole to climb to 6-2. King Caralipio, an acquisition from Letran, also delivered for Coach Vic Ycasiano with 12 points and 7 rebounds.
