MANILA, Philippines – On Monday at the Paco Arena, Pasig defeated Bacoor, 82-78, in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 4th Season Presented by Xtreme. Pasig started overtime with an 8-point run. 

As predicted, Bataan defeated Marikina by a score of 84-68 in the first game, while Valenzuela defeated Quezon City by a score of 90-74 in the second. 

In the single round-robin elimination round of the 22-team competition, Jason Melano and Carlo Lastimosa ignited the Pasig breakout with back-to-back triples, which was finished by a Jason Ballesteros slam. This led to the Realtors’ 14th victory against 6 defeats.

With 44 seconds left, Bacood threatened at 76-79 thanks to a 10-5 barrage that featured three straight triples from Eric Acuna and Paolo Castro, who made the last two. 

With only 12.6 seconds remaining, Pasig’s Ryan Paule Costelo continued his stellar performance from the regulation play by making two free throws to secure the victory, 81-76. 

In addition to Ballesteros’ 11 points and 10 rebounds, Melano had 12 points, 17 rebounds, and 7 assists. Costelo had 19 points and 3 rebounds. 

He made his second free throw after missing the first one to force overtime with 66.

Despite the 24-point performance of Paolo Castro, Eric Acuna’s 11 points and 14 rebounds, Salvador Galit’s 11 points and 5 rebounds, and Mark Montuano’s 10-point, 7-rebound line, Bacoor lost to 8-12.

Meanwhile Bataan Experiences Good Plays, QC Rolls Off

James Darwin Castro’s 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists helped Bataan improve to 12-8. Dexter Mescallado contributed 16 points and 6 rebounds for Marikina, who dropped to 6-13. 

With 17 and 16 points each, Pat Cabahug and Ronjay Enrile were Valenzuela’s offensive leaders. Jaymar Gimpayan, a star player, contributed 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks. 

Only Marlon Monte (12 points), Adrian Celada (11) and Genmar Bragais (10) scored in double digits as Quezon City fell to 8-11. 

Tuesday sees the MPBL bring another triple-header to the Muntinlupa Sports Complex. At 5 p.m., Zamboanga takes on Mindoro, and then at 7 p.m., GenSan and Laguna square off. and the 9 p.m. crash between Muntinlupa and Calabanga.