General Santos City bested Bacolod, 77-72, and forced a decider in their quarterfinal playoffs late Monday in the OKbet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 4th Season Presented by Xtreme at the Batangas City Coliseum.
Earlier, Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines banked on Jaycee Marcelino triple-double to thwart Muntinlupa,77-71, and advance to the semifinal round via a two-game sweep of their own quarterfinal series.
Hounded throughout by Bacolod, GenSan leaned on Nikko Panganiban to avenge a 77-81 loss in the series opener and regain the slight favorite’s role in their do-or-die encounter on October 31.
Panganiban tallied 24 points, including the dagger 3-pointer with 11.3 seconds left, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists to earn best player honors.
The 6-foot-1 former NAASCU rookie of the year was supported by Cristopher Masaglang with 15 points and 4 steals, former Letran star Christian Fajarito with 13 points and 8 rebounds, and Mark Cruz with 9 points and 9 rebounds.
Jhan McHale Nermal drilled in a game-high 25 points, including a triple that pushed Bacolod to within 72-74, and grabbed 8 rebounds, but his efforts fell short as only Mark Yee could provide scoring support with 11 points.
Its confidence boosted by a 79-50 dumping of Muntinlupa in Game 1, Zamboanga showed up primed for the kill.
The Zamboanguenos surged ahead, 59-40, before shifting to cruise control late in the third quarter.
They were still comfortably ahead at 67-55 when the Muntinlupa Cagers, led by Biboy Enquio, charged for one final assault.
With Enquio bunching five points, Muntinlupa threatened at 71-73 with still 56 seconds left.
Zamboanga, however, kept its poise and sealed the outcome on two free throws by Ralph Tansingco and a basket by Jayvee Marcelino.
It was Jaycee Marcelino who sparkled for Zamboanga throughout with 24 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, plus 6 steals, followed by Tansingco and Jhaps Bautista with 11 points each.
The Zamboanguenos will be facing the winner between GenSan and Bacolod in the South division semifinals.
