MPBL: Laguna, Caloocan pull off contrasting wins UNTV Cup: Senate looks to fan flames against PITC

The Laguna Heroes and Caloocan Supremos posted contrasting victories yesterday in Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at the Caloocan Sports Complex.

The Heroes pulled away from a 57-all tie in the final 1:16 to turn back the Marikina Shoemasters, 63-61, while the Supremos overpowered the Pasay Voyagers, 85-63.

Paolo Pontejos had 13 points while Michael Mabulac added 12 points and 18 rebounds as the Heroes hiked their tally to 9-11. The Shoemasters skidded to 7-11.

The Supremos set the tone early with a 2715 lead and limited the Voyagers to only nine points for a 41-24 halftime advantage en route to their seventh win against 13 defeats.

Rene Pacquiao, a second cousin of Manny Pacquaio, paced the Supremos with 20 points and seven boards, Almond Vostros and Jessmar Villahermosa had 14 points each, and Paul Sanga added 12 points.

The defending champion Senate Defenders look to sustain their impressive showing in the second phase of the elims when they face the PITC Global Traders tomorrow at the start of the quarterfinal round of the 7th UNTV Cup at the Pasig City Sports Center.

Game time is at 4:30 p.m. with the Defenders favored on account of their improved plays that enabled them to recover from a roller-coaster performance in the first round.

Mentored by Mike Fermin, the Senate Defenders finished the two-round elims with a 6-3 mark after going 3-1 in the second round, highlighted by a thrilling 64-63 win over longtime rival Judiciary.

Also going for a winning start is MalacañangPhilippine Sports Commission which tackles the National Housing Authority at 3 p.m.

The four teams play one more round with the top two finishers joining early semifinalists Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police in the next round which is a best-of-three affair.