The San Juan Knights notched their second lopsided win while the Manila Stars, Bacoor Strikers, and Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors also posted routs on Monday in the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitationals powered by TM.
Debuting Marikina Shoe City, on the other hand, withstood Laguna Krah Asia’s final rally to prevail, 79-73, in the last of five games held before limited fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Welcoming collegiate standout Rhenz Abando, the Knights trounced the Sarangani Marlins, 91-72, in Group C to match the 2-0 card of the Bacolod All-Star ballers in Group A.
Manila dumped EMKAI-Rizal, 89-59 while Bacoor subdued Caloocan, 72-50, to recover from their first game losses.
Pasig opened its campaign with a 90-69 beating of Iloilo in Group A.
Still recovering from an injury, the high-flying Abando contributed 10 points, all from the charity striple, five rebounds, four blocks, and two steals for the Knights, the MPBL Datu Cup champions.
Jhonard Clarito and Jason Melano also shone for the Knights who dominated the boards against the Marlins, 62-37. Clarito accounted for 14 points and 10 rebounds while Melano tallied 14 points and nine rebounds.
Showing its true form, Manila moved beyond reach at 88-54 as it buried the memory of a shocking 77-80 defeat to Mindoro on Sunday.
Dan Sara presided over the Stars’ offense with 16 points, followed by John Ray Villanueva with 14, Brent Paraiso with 13, Mark Niel Cruz with 12 plus 13 rebounds, and Allan Mangahas with 11.
Bacoor, with Jerome Garcia drilling in 26 points, highlighted by six triples, and Richard Albo contributing 13 points and 12 rebounds, zoomed ahead at 65-30 en route to a 1-1 slate in Group A.
Sans his injured top gunner Yves Sazon, Marikina coach Elvis Tolentino gave his son, Kyle, a chance to prove his worth and the 20-year-old delivered big time against Laguna.
Now 6-foot-3 and no longer reedy, Kyle led the Shoemasters with 24 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal to the delight of his father and his teammates.
Power-leaper Renato Ular also did his share with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 1 block for the Shoemasters.
Pasig drew twin digits each from Ryan Costelo (15), Justin Arana (14), Cedrick Ablaza (13), and Fran Yu (11) to take the fight out Iloilo, which trailed by as far as 65-88.
The 22-team Invitationals continue with another 5-game bill on Tuesday. Mindoro tangles with Bulacan in the 9:30 p.m. opener followed by the Caoocan-Negros tussle at noon. Other matches put Valenzuela against Muntinlupa at 2:30 p.m., Makati against Marikina at 5 p.m. and GenSan against Imus at 7:30 p.m.
