Rizal Xentro Mall got back on track with a 96-76 thrashing of Laguna on Friday in the OKbet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 4th Season presented by Xtreme at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
Derailed by Pasig, 87-79, on July 9, the Golden Coolers made sure not to play catch-up again and sped away by halftime, 51-34, en route to their fourth win against 3 losses in the single round-robin elimination phase of the 22-team tournament.
Powered by Alvin Capobres, Laurenz Victoria and Keanu Caballero, Rizal sealed the outcome with just a minute gone in the fourth quarter when it built a 78-50 spread on a 3-pointer by Edgar Charcos.
Capobres wound up with 15 points plus 5 rebounds, Victoria 13 plus 3, and Caballero 10 points, 11 assists, 4 steals and 3 rebounds as Rizal thrived even if starting guard Jolo Mendoza did not play.
Charcos finished with 10 points plus 4 assists while veteran Mark Benitez contributed 10 points and 5 boards for Coach Jonathan Banal.
Laguna, which fell to 1-6, got 15 points from Sean Laban, 12 from Paolo Pontejos, 11 from Lawrence Mallari and 10 points plus 9 rebounds from Floyd Dedicatoria.
Caloocan Victory Liner prevailed over Mindoro, 71-63, in the nightcap to check a 3-game skid and improve to 2-4.
Jomar Santos sparkled for Caloocan with 18 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists, followed by Damian Lasco with 15 points, Jhygruz Laude with 13 and Joseph Penaredondo with 11.
Mindoro only has Dominic Panlilio and Khen Osicos in double digits with 13 and 10, respectively, as the Tams tumbled to 1-8.
Bataan Camaya Coast subdued Imus, 74-67, in the opener to extend its winning run to 4 and climb to 5-1.
