Author: John Michael Decierdo Agustin
Photo Credit: MPBL
Orion Sports Complex, Bataan— The Quezon Huskers gave the Muntinlupa Cagers a huge beating after a blowout win on Sep. 5 during the 29-team round-robin elimination round of Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) season 6.
Quezon had an easy path en route to their 19th win after destroying Muntinlupa, 88-31. The Huskers held the Cagers to only 31 points on 19.6% field goal percentage with the highest-scoring player on the team only dishing out 6 points. Aside from their poor performance—a combination of nightmarish shooting and reckless turnovers—this is also a season-low for Muntinlupa in terms of points scored.
A factor of Quezon’s success was the perfect outing of Christopher Lagrama, who went 4-for-4 from behind the three-point line, finishing the game with 16 points. Rodel Gravera also had a perfect night, scoring 10 points and shooting 100% from the field with only 9 minutes of play.
Quezon, 19-5, now takes the no.1 seed in the South Division. Meanwhile, Muntinlupa, 7-19, will be missing the playoffs even if they win their next two games, which will be against top teams in the league: Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters and Pampanga Giant Lanterns.
Robby Celiz’s 20-piece lead Nueva Ecija past South Cotabato
The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards took off against the South Cotabato Warriors, 94-75, thanks to Robby Celiz’s 20 points, 5 assists, and 6 rebounds. Four other Vanguard players also tallied double digits: Mer Jesper Ayaay (14), Jay Collado (12), JC Cullar (10), and June Kenneth Mocon (10).
Nueva Ecija is now 21-3, the third seed in the North, while South Cotabato drops to 15-11 despite Jervy Cruz and Chris Dumapig scoring 12 points each. 34-year-old defensive big man Jammer Jamito also grabs 15 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks for the Warriors.
Bataan, is finally getting its groove back after winning 4 straight
The 1Bataan Risers kept their playoff bid alive, as they went home with the win against the Negros Muscovados, 84-62. Bataan (9-16), the team currently sitting in the no.9 spot in the South division, will try to book a ticket to the playoffs – that is if they secure the 8th spot over the Mindoro Tamaraws (10-16).
The Scores:
- Quezon Huskers vs. Muntinlupa Cagers ELBURG Paramount (88-31)
- Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards vs. South Cotabato Warriors (94-75)
- 1Bataan Risers vs. Negros Muscovados (84-62)
