Another night of upset and a couple of record-setting feats.
On Wednesday night, two players were able to shatter feats in rebounding even as Laguna became the latest giant slayer in the MPBL Datu Cup while Davao Occidental continued its winning ways.
Michael Mabulac shattered a seven-month record held by Gian Abrigo for most rebounds by any player in an MPBL game while helping steer the Krah-supported Laguna Heroes to a 74-68 triumph over the powerhouse Manila Stars-Robust Energy Capsule.
It was the third straight win by the Heroes, who improved their win-loss record to 5-3 to move up to third spot in the Southern Division of this tournament put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao with PBA legend and 40 Greatest Member Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner.
This is the third straight game a lower-ranked squad was able to shock their more fancied rivals and Commissioner Duremdes said the games are becoming more exciting because of the unpredictability of the results.
“You can’t count out all teams yet. Wala pa tayo sa halfway stretch ng tournament. Yung iba, nag-peak early, while yung iba naman, lately lang nagpi-peak,” wrote Duremdes in an online message. “That’s the beauty of our single round robin.”
Mabulac grabbed 21 rebounds to break the 20 set by Abrigo seven months ago while playing for the Quezon City Capitals. The former reserve player of San Miguel Beer in the PBA also ended up with 15 points to complete a double-double performance.
But Mabulac’s feat lasted for only two hours as his newly-recorded feat was broken right away by fellow ex-pro Mark Yee, who powered the Davao Occidental Tigers-Cocolife to a 68-61 triumph over Pasay.
Yee came away with his own double-double performance, scoring 16 points and pulling down 24 rebounds to set a new mark for most rebounds by any player in a game. His heroics catapulted the Tigers to their third straight win and moved up to second place of the Southern Division with a 6-3 card.