Mabolo Christian Academy joined MLSDF, RemEmber and ACES in the winners’ circle after it drubbed the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers, 69-60, in the continuing action of the 6th M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Under-21 Developmental Basketball League at the Consolacion Sports Complex.
The MCA cagers were smoking right after the opening tip-off to take a 15-point advantage, 26-11, at the end of the first period.
The Baby Panthers of coach Camilo Go, however, staged a furious rally in the second quarter to whittle the deficit down to just a matchstick at the bend, 33-34.
Armed with their steady offense, the Baby Panthers eventually grabbed the driver’s seat, 48-47, entering the final 10 minutes of the contest.
It was a tight-rope match the rest of the way, with the Baby Panthers still enjoying a hairline edge, 60-59 at the final five-minute mark of the contest.
But in a sudden twist of event, USPF went scoreless from there, enabling the MCA mainstays to close the game with a fluid 10-0 blast to ice the win.
The champion in the M. Lhuillier Sports Development Foundation-organized tilt will receive P5,000, while the second and third placers will get P3,000 and P2,000, respectively. Being an event for a cause, the prizes will be donated to charitable institutions of the winners’ choice.
The scores
MCA (69) - Orbeta 15, Rodavia 14, Tabaquero 11, Olivares 8, Oyao 8, Sacedor 6, Herbabuena 4, Olita 3
USPF (60) - Maraño 19, Unabia 17, Loberanes 13, Daan 6, Quilaton 3, Cabatingan 2
Quarterscores:26-11, 34-33, 47-48, 69-60 – EBV