Caloocan defused Iloilo’s comeback and notched a 90-80 victory on Tuesday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Amoranto Sports Complex Gym in Quezon City.
Joshua Flores presided over the Batang Kankaloo’s 10th win against losses in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament with 14 points, including eight in the fourth quarter, and 6 rebounds to clinch his first best player award.
Ronnie Matias and Jeramer Cabanag backed Flores up with 13 points each, and so did Paul Sanga with 11 points plus 4 rebounds and Joco Tayongtong with 9 points, 5 rebounds plus 4 assists.
The Batang Kankaloo weathered JC Cansino’s 13-point fourth-quarter explosion to hand the United Royals their 12th loss in 19 starts.
Converting 6 of 11 triple tries, Cansino poured in 27 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and 1 block for Iloilo, which got 15 points from Ry Ajer De La Rosa, and 11 points from Gwynne Capacio.
Earlier, Muntinlupa trounced Imus, 76-63, and climbed to 7-13.
Errol Jay Bongay paced the Cagers with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists, followed by Jasper Derek Cuevas with 16 points, and Alfred Flores with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists.
Also-ran Imus tumbled to 1-19 as only Carlo De Chavez and Kido Cabrera fought back with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
The MPBL returns to the Cuneta Astrodome on Wednesday with games pitting Manila against Muntinlupa at 4 p.m., Valenzuela against Nueva Ecija at 6 p.m., and Parañaque against Pasay at 8 p.m.
