Bulacan stuns QC; Imus scores

Games Tomorrow ( Navotas Sports Complex) 7 p.m. – Batangas vs Muntinlupa 9 p.m. – Navotas vs Bataan

Host Bulacan turned up the heat in the third period to score a runaway 95-81 win over favored Quezon City Saturday night in the 2018 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Anta Rajah Cup at the packed Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium.

Jovit Dela Cruz led a balanced attack with 18 points while Stephen Siruma collected 13 points, eight assists and seven rebounds as the Kuyas rode high on a 30-point explosion in the decisive canto to turn a tight match into a cruise.

It was the second consecutive victory and third overall in six starts for Bulacan, which continued to show flashes of its brilliance since former player Chris Baluyot assumed the coaching role from Ogie Gumatay.

Forward Gian Abrigo and John Tayongtong tallied 15 points apiece but top guard Andoy Estrella groped for form with just six points as the Capitals suffered their second straight loss after a strong 4-0 start, dropping to third spot overall.

Earlier, Imus finally broke the ice at the expense of fellow struggler Caloocan, 70-61.

Ian Melencio had a near doubledouble of 13 points and nine rebounds while former pro league draftee Orly Daroya tallied 13 points for the Bandera, who dominated the Supremos, 26-14, in the final frame to complete their fightback.

Forward Allen Enriquez finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds but no other Supremo scored more than eight points, leading to their fifth loss in six matches in a tie with the Bandera at the cellar.

Caloocan took charge early on, led by as many as 10 points and still had a slim 56-55 lead off an Enriquez jumper with more than six minutes to play.

But Imus, now handled by pro league great Jerry Codiñera, suddenly went on tear, with Daroya drilling in a pair of triples decisive eight-to-nothing surge that put them ahead for good going to the final two minutes.

— JEROME LAGUNZAD