Caloocan, Rizal boost MPBL playoff drives

Caloocan essayed a wire-to-wire victory over Pasig, 82-67, while Rizal Xentromall rallied past Zamboanga, 69-61, to rev up their drive in Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2025 Season on Monday at the Ynares Center Montalban in Rizal province.

The Caloocan Batang Kankaloo surged ahead, 30-10, in the second quarter and were never headed to notch their 13th win against six losses in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.

The Golden Coolers clustered 16 points to overtake the Zamboangueños, 49-42, for good and climbed to 11-7 in the chase for playoff spots, being led by sure qualifiers Nueva Ecija (18-0), Abra (17-1) and San Juan (16-1).

Marco Balagtas sparked the Golden Coolers’ comeback from 33-42 with back-to-back triples followed by Michael Canete and Samboy de Leon with four points each.

De Leon, formerly of Centro Escolar University, posted 15 points, nine rebounds, three steals, three blocks and three assists, while Balagtas, formerly of Jose Rizal University, tallied 13 points, six rebounds, two blocks and two assists.

Philip Manalang, a crack point guard out of the University of the East, chalked up 13 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals, followed by Robin Nayve with 10 points and five rebounds, and Canete with eight points, six rebounds and two blocks.

Zamboanga fell to 14-5 as only Aljon Capobres, with 19 points and seven rebounds, and recruit Carl Bryan Cruz, with 10 points and nine rebounds, found their rhythm.

Caloocan ruled the boards, 57-35, and shot better from afar, 11 of 39 triple tries, in pulling down Pasig to its fourth straight defeat and a 7-10 slate.

Jeff Manday shone for Batang Kankaloo with 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists, and so did Brian Enriquez with 14 points plus two rebounds, Jeramer Cabanag with 11 points, four rebounds and four assists, and Antonio Bonsubre with 15 rebounds, three points, three steals, two blocks and two assists.

Pasig got 21 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals from Warlo James Batac, 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks from Chito Jaime, and 10 points plus two rebounds from Jacob Galicia.