The MLSDF-Mandaue Selection opened its title campaign with a merciless 88-46 thrashing of Garing National High School in the 4th M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Developmental Basketball League at the Consolacion Sports Complex.
The MLSDF-Mandaue stalwarts left their opponent at a mess after closing the first period with a 21-11 lead. They limited Garing to only 24 points in the first three quarters while scoring 64 on the way to dish out a 42-point rout.
In the other games, Ave Maria Sanctuary Park crushed SHO-Paknaan, 82-62, while Brgy. Pajo pulled off a 91-78 upset over the University of the Visayas (UV)-Mandaue Academy.
SHO-Paknaan was in fighting mood only in the first period where it posted an 18-13 lead as Ave Maria Sanctuary Park staged a blistering run in the middle quarters, 56-26, to put the game beyond reach, 69-44, with 10 minutes left to play.
UV-Mandaue, on the other hand, used a 25-10 blitz to baffle Brgy. Pajo at the start. Pajo, however, fought back in the second quarter, 20-11, to pull within 30-36 at halftime.
Brgy. Pajo continued its courageous fightback and eventually turned the tables on UV-Mandaue using a crippling 39-25 rally in the windup. Overall in the final half, Pajo outscored UV-Mandaue, 61-42, to snatch victory in come-from-behind fashion.—EBV