MANDALUYONG Namayan scored a massive upset last Sunday at the San Andres Gymnasium in Manila, handing Taytay its first loss 101-89 in the National Capital Region Leg of the Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League 18-Under tournament.
The Tigre, coming off a crushing 63-86 loss to Mapua-521 Trading just the other day, leaned on the duo of James Corpuz and Joseph Catome to rise to 3-2 in the tournament co-presented by SCD and Dumper party-list and supported by J Project Clothings, MDC, Bluesky Advertising, NET 25, Wcube Solutions Inc., Hotel SOGO, and Converge.
Corpuz tallied 27 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field, 5-of-9 from deep, while Catome produced a stellar line of 25 points, three rebounds, two steals, and two assists to snap Mandaluyong’s two-game skid.
With their starters not clicking, the Builders relied on their off-the-bench duo of Jashlie De Leon and debuting Keith Bencalo, who got 18 points apiece. However, their efforts were not enough as Taytay fell to 2-1, half-a-game behind leg leaders Farm Fresh-Letran and NBS Kris.
In the other NCR leg game, UST-commits Mark Llemit and James Jumao-as, along with incoming Adamson freshman Peter Rosillo, joined hands in powering Fin & Claw Grill to an 87-84 escape over Magnificent Manila.
Rosillo tallied 16 points, four rebounds, and four assists; Jumao-as got 13 points and three rebounds while Llemit added 12 points and eight rebounds, pushing Fin & Claw to a 2-1 record while dropping Manila to a 0-3 slate.
In the sole Luzon leg of the day also at the same Manila venue, Datzluv Sta. Cruz earned its third straight win to remain on pace with Pampanga Pradera after eking out an 84-77 win over Calamba City.
Four players scored in double-figures for the team that also has Builders as monicker with Geo Argonza scoring 14, Jasper Matienzo finishing with 13, Amiel Lopez chipping in 11, and Skyler Glen adding 10.
Edrian Palma (19 points) was the high point man for Calamba, who fell to 2-3.
Over at the Cebu City Sports Institute, Dea’s Bakeshop X RAD racked up its third straight win after beating hapless Sidlak Danao, 82-71.
