The Caloocan Batang Kankaloo relied on a fourth-quarter breakaway to oust the Pasig City MCW Sports in the do-or-die Game 3 of the MPBL Northern Division quarterfinals on late Friday night at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
Trailing 49-51 with four minutes left, the Batang Kankaloo went on a 7-0 scoring run behind two free throws by John Tayontong, a triple by Paul Sanga, and a two-pointer from Marnel Baracael for a 56-51 lead.
Pasig City kept it close at 56-58, but Caloocan responded with a triple from Baracael and back-to-back two-pointers from Sanga and Irvin Palencia for a 65-58 lead with under a minute left.
Jeramer Cabanag was hailed as Player of the Game with 12 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals as the Batang Kankaloo advanced to the Northern Division semifinals against the Pampanga Giant Lanterns.
“In-adjust ko ‘yung laro ko this Game 3 kasi medyo scouted ako nung first two games, especially familiar sa akin si (Pasig City head) coach Boyet (Fernandez),” Cabanag said, referring to his former San Beda University Red Lions head coach.
“Kaya ang ginawa ko is, instead of settling for outside shots, inatake ko ng inatake ‘yung guard ng Pasig City para mapagod din siya,” he added. “But this is a total team effort, offensively and defensively.”
Gabby Espinas top-scored for the Batang Kankaloo with 15 points to go with seven rebounds, while Tayongtong contributed 10 points and six rebounds.
Robbie Manalang and Ray Anthony Peralta finished with 10 points apiece, while Jason Ballesteros hauled 17 rebounds to go with nine points for Pasig City, which lost its top scorer Ryan Costelo in the third quarter due to an unsportsmanlike foul.
The post Caloocan eliminates Pasig to reach MPBL Northern Division semis first appeared on Fastbreak.
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