Marvin Hayes (in gentle jersey) of Muntinlupa posts up with Cebu’s John Paul Martinez of their MPBL sport. | Photograph from MPBL
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu Basic’s rollercoaster journey within the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) continued Friday evening, April 4, as they fell in an exciting conflict in opposition to the Muntinlupa Cagers Lakan, 70-77, on the Batangas Metropolis Coliseum.
Recent off a dominant 79-51 demolition of Manila Batang Quiapo simply days earlier, Cebu seemed poised to construct momentum—however Muntinlupa had different plans. The Cagers leaned on a late fourth-quarter run to steal the win and enhance to 2-0 within the standings. In the meantime, the Basic slipped to 2-4, now tied with the Valenzuela Classics Dynacast at fifteenth place.
Regardless of the loss, Gryann Mendoza shone brightest for Cebu Basic, torching the protection with 20 factors on a scorching 5-of-6 clip from deep. He added 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and two steals in an all-around effort that just about tipped the steadiness.
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Ladis Lepalam additionally delivered a robust efficiency with 19 factors, eight rebounds, and two blocks, whereas Dennis Santos contributed 9 markers.
However Muntinlupa countered with a masterclass in group basketball, anchored by veteran Marvin Hayes who delivered a close to double-double of 18 factors and 9 rebounds. He additionally tallied six assists and two steals, main a balanced assault that noticed 5 Cagers rating in double figures. Domark Legario Matillano and Mart James Barrera added 12 apiece, Kurt Lojera chipped in 11, and John Cantimbuhan Jr. posted 10 factors.
READ: MPBL: Cebu Basic falls to Quezon Huskers
CEBU CLASSIC
Through the sport, Cebu got here out swinging, racing to a double-digit lead within the opening body. A scorching 10-0 run pushed them forward 23-13, and so they closed the quarter with a commanding 26-13 cushion.
Their momentum carried briefly into the second interval, as they stretched the result in its peak at 13 factors. However Muntinlupa slowly chipped away, using a scoring burst from Hayes to claw again into rivalry.
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With the clock winding down within the second quarter, Barrera sank a dagger triple with 4 seconds left to tie the sport at 34-all heading into halftime—erasing what as soon as appeared a snug Cebu Basic benefit.
The second half of their MPBL sport changed into a tug-of-war as each squads traded buckets and the lead, neither giving an inch. Cebu entered the fourth quarter clinging to a slim 53-52 edge.
However when the lights burned brightest, it was Hayes who answered the decision. With the rating tied at 59, he made a go-ahead layup. Moments later, Cantimbuhan Jr. adopted with one other straightforward end, giving Muntinlupa a 63-59 lead.
The Cagers tightened the screws defensively and exploded for his or her greatest lead of the evening—75-65—within the ultimate two minutes, with Hayes capping the surge with a cold-blooded triple.
Cebu Basic tried to rally however time wasn’t on their facet. Muntinlupa held on on the buzzer, sealing a press release win to stay unbeaten.
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