Pasig City MCW Sports pulled away in the third quarter then held off Caloocan's rally to prevail, 82-74, in the OKBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Fifth Season Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Kenny Roger Rocacurva combined with Pierce Tyron Chua, Shane Menina and Michael Maestre to push Pasig far ahead, 45-22, from which Caloocan couldn't recover.
Formerly of Cebu Institute of Technology and Letran, Rocacurva tallied 18 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and four steals to earn best player honors as Pasig improved to a 6-3 win-loss record in the elimination round of the 29-team tournament.
Chan and Menina scored 13 points each, Maestre finished with 12 and Robbie Manalang had 11 for Pasig, which was held scoreless for more than six minutes, allowing Caloocan to close in 65-71 following a 14-point salvo and at 68-74 after a triple by Jeramer Cabanag.
However, Ryan Paule Costelo bunched six points and Chan added two free throws against two charities by Gabby Espinas to ensure Pasig Coach Boyet Fernandez of the victory with just a minute left.
Caloocan dropped to a 5-3 card as only Cabanag found his range with 16 points, followed by Ronnie Matias with 11 markers and 11 rebounds.
Earlier, Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines subdued Bacolod City of Smiles, 89-77, while the Sarangani Marlins trounced the Pasay Voyagers, 84-69.
Zamboanga clawed its way out of an early 16-30 to climb to a 6-2 slate.
Reigning Most Valuable Player Jaycee Marcelino had 18 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds and two steals while his twin brother, Jayvee, got 13 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals for Zamboanga. King Caralipio, an acquisition from Letran, also delivered for head coach Vic Ycasiano with 12 points and seven rebounds.
Bacolod, which tumbled to a 3-6 mark, got 20 points from James Mangahas and 15 each from Val Chauca and Domark Matillano.
Sarangani opened a 45-22 lead to take full control of the game and improved to a 4-5 record.
Jefferson Comia posted 18 points, nine rebounds and five assists backed by John Carlos Escalambre's 15 points and Jeff Viernes' 13 points, and eight assists. John Paul Cauilan added 11 points and eight boards.
Pasay, which fell to a 5-3 slate, got 13 points and 9 rebounds from Jeric Serrano while Dhon Reverente made 10 points and 15 rebounds.