Munti, Pasig hurdle Coke Hoopla foes

MANILA, Philippines - Muntinlupa and Pasig posted contrasting wins against separate rivals in the kickoff of the Coca-Cola Hoopla inter-zonal at the Kolisiyum ng Bayan in Makati.

The Muntinlupa cagers crushed home team Makati, 75-58, while the Pasig hoopsters recovered from a slow start to beat Caloocan, 78-74, as the opener of the Final Four unfolded before a big crowd that included Coca-Cola PBA board representative JB Baylon, Coke players Mark Macapagal, Dale Singson and Gerald Mariano, and Letran coach Louie Alas and assistant mentor Justino Pinat.

Muntinlupa, which dominated the South division with a perfect 4-0 slate, encountered little resistance from Makati to serve notice of its title bid in the cagefest for players 19 years old and below.

Seventeen teams in Metro Manila participated in the inaugural league organized by Coca-Cola Export.

Muntinlupa had its biggest lead, 53-37, on Kevin Racal’s medium range jumper. The versatile 6-foot-3 Racal finished with a double-double 17 points and 10 rebounds. Karl Salvador added 15, Avid Minoc 9, and Kevin Buenaflor 8.

“The will to win is there. The boys were determined to win. It was a

team effort. Of course, tinulungan kami ni Lord,” said Muntinlupa coach Siegfred Levita. Pasig, on the other hand, fought hard after a lackluster start to snare the come-from-behind win.

Ranniel Nudo and Julius Pinili each scored 15 points, Jeric Baylen added 14 and Elmer Labis 12 for Pasig, which ruled East division by beating Quezon City, Marikina and Pateros.

It was a sorry loss for Caloocan which exploded from the opening buzzer, 14-0, only to fold when the game was on the line to the big disappointment of coach Juben Ledesma.

“The boys had so many lapses early in the game. They were able to recover in the second half. Team effort.” said Pasig coach Edward Medina.

Pasig fought back to knot the count at 40-all. Inspired, the Pasig cagers unloaded a crippling 14-1 third quarter assault sparked by Ramon Carlo Regaspi, Jeric Baylen, Julius Mark Pinili and Elmer Labis to wrest the lead, 54-41.

Tournament organizer Joe Lipa was elated to the big crowd who watched the game.

“This is a community-based basketball competition. We organized this league primarily to bring barangay basketball to a highest level,” said Lipa.

Ranniel Nudo scored six of his team last seven points and held Caloocan scoreless in the last one minute to preserve the come-from-behind win.

Hostilities resume Thursday at the Pasig High School gym, with Caloocan facing Muntinlupa at 5 p.m. and Pasig meeting Makati at 7 p.m.