Warriors, Capitals overcome hoop rivals

Navotas—The General Santos Warriors and the Quezon City Capitals banked on new recruits to trounce separate opponents in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakandula Cup at Navotas Sports Complex.

Fil-Am Mike Williams and prized acquisition Pamboy Raymundo powered the Warriors past the Shoemasters, 96-89, while Aaron Black posted a triple double and five other Capitals drilled in twin digits as Quezon City dumped Binan City, 110-85.

The 6-foot-1 Black, son of multi-titled coach Norman Black, tallied 17 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as he combined with Clark Derige, Tonino Gonzaga and Ramon Mabayo to lift the Capitals past the hapless Heroes.

Derige, a former University of the East Red Warrior, fired a game-high 24 points while Gonzago and Mabayo matched Black’s 17 points.

The Capitals, who rebounded from their 85-86 loss to the Manila Stars on June 18, also drew 11 points from Mark Kenneth Cangongoy and 10 from Dahrrel Caranguian to leave the Heroes way behind,106-77, in the homestretch.

Getting used to physical plays, Williams scored 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, while Raymundo, formerly of the Bataan Risers, chipped in 21 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, as the Warriors cruised to their second straight win after dropping their first game to the Pampanga Giant Lanterns (85-94) on June 13.

The Warriors also beat the Bulacan Kuyas, 81-77, on June 20.

The third game between Navotas-Unipak Sardines and Rizal Xentro Mall was called off due to “unplayable conditions.”

MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes ordered the stoppage at halftime, Navotas ahead (56-39) due to the slippery floor brought about by the humidity, caused by the rains and the packed crowd at the non-air-conditioned venue.

“The game will be resumed at the end of the eliminations and will be played if ever there’s a bearing for any of the two teams,” said Duremdes.