Muntinlupa, Pasig dispute Coke Hoopla crown

MANILA, Philippines - Pasig and Muntinlupa disposed of their respective Final Four rivals in contrasting fashions at Notre Dame gym in Caloocan City last Friday to arrange a title showdown in the inaugural staging of the 2010 Coca-Cola Hoopla.

Jigo Baylen beat the buzzer with a triple to give Pasig a 80-79 victory over host Caloocan, while Muntinlupa rode on Kevin Racal’s 25 points to blast Makati, 78-69.

Game 1 of the finals will be held either at Rizal High or the Pasig Sports Center, on Wednesday.

Trailing, 77-79, Pasig went to Baylen who took a pass from Julius Mark Pinili and hit that triple to the disappointment of the big Caloocan crowd.

“As soon as I got the ball, I just threw it up since there was no time left,” said Baylen, an incoming freshman at Polytechnic University of the Philippines, in Filipino. He finished with just four points.

Ranniel Nudo scored 16 points and Elmer Labis added 13 as Pasig reaffirmed its mastery over Caloocan, which it beat 78-74 in their first meeting in the two-round inter-zonal phase.

Pasig and Caloocan battled to six deadlocks and several lead changes before Baylen hit the winning shot.

Pasig needs to beat first round conqueror Muntinlupa (84-81) to clinch the maiden championship worth P250,000 from Coca-Cola Export and PBA governor JB Baylon.

If Muntinlupa prevails, Game 2 will be played Friday at the Muntinlupa Sports Center.

The runner-up gets P125,000, third P75,000, and fourth P50,000.