QUEZON City and Muntinlupa scored similar lopsided wins late Tuesday night to pick up their second straight triumphs in the MPBL Anta-Rajah Cup at the JCSGO Gym in Quezon City.
In front of their packed hometown crowd, the Royal Manila-backed Capitals dominated from start to finish on their way to an 84-75 victory over the Imus Bandera-GLC Truck and Equipment.
The Cagers of Muntinlupa, supported by Angelis Resort, dumped the Caloocan Supremos-Longrich, 89-76, in the other game.
Both Quezon City and Muntinlupa teams asserted their dominance from the early goings.
The Capitals turned to ex-La Salle stalwart PJ Barua in the early goings to take a 29-17 lead, then went to big man Jessie Collado in the second half to pick up their second win in as many games and join Navotas and Batangas City in a share of the lead.
Collado finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Barua contributed 15 markers.
The Capitals led by as many as 24 points, 75-51, off Jeymark Mallari’s split charities halfway the fourth period.
But Quezon City’s dominance was also noticeable on the defensive end as the Capitals grabbed a total of 60 rebounds, 14 more than the GLC Truck and Equipment-backed Bandera team. Quezon City’s bench production was also more superior, producing 58 compared to Imus’ 38.
Jomar Santos and Joco Tayongtong added 10 apiece for Quezon City, which joined Novaliches and Batangas City in a share of the lead with 2-0 win-loss records.
“It’s still a long way to go,” said Quezon City coach Vis Valencia. “Seven games, a lot of things can happen. We’ll just do it one at a time. I saw Navotas and Batangas City, they’re good to go. On our part, we’re still trying to develop chemistry.”
Muntinlupa likewise had an easier time disposing of Caloocan.
Former PBA player Chito Jaime knocked in 23 points. He already had 14 in the early part of the second period, allowing Muntinlupa to take a 31-24 lead.
A three-point play by Gino Ylagan in the 3:20 mark of the third period gave Muntinlupa a 68-42 lead and the team never looked back. It was the second straight victory by the Cagers, both of them coming away from home.
“It’s painful to lose our home game, but we’re fortunate to win our next two games. Hopefully, we could bounce back in our next home game,” added Muntinlupa coach Aldrin Morante.
