Valenzuela, Marikina stay unbeaten in elims

MANILA, Philippines - Group A leader Valenzuela picked up its fifth straight win yesterday while Group A pacesetter Marikina rolled to its fourth consecutive triumph in the penultimate day of the 2014 Coca-Cola PBA Youngstars basketball tournament at the San Juan gym.

Juan Carlo Garcia had 10 points as Valenzuela rallied from a first quarter deficit to turn back sliding Parañaque (3-2), 45-37, while Marikina, led by Alwyn Santos’ 19 points and Adoph Salinas’ 18, rolled back Pasig, 55-43, Friday.

In other games at the JCSGO gym in Cubao two days ago, Quezon City won by default over San Juan for its second win in four games, while Manila-KABAKA, behind Joseph Prodigo’s 16 points and Ivan Andaya’s 14, edged Parañaque, 53-52, for its fourth win in five outings.

Muntinlupa, meanwhile, snapped a three-game losing start by beating Las Piñas, 58-48, with Muhammand Dr. Omer pouring in 22 points and Keith Loreno Perala 11. Taguig (3-1) then nipped Antipolo, 50-47, with Francis Romulo Macasil scoring 18 and Gabriel Natividad 14 points.

Closing out the eliminations today at the San Juan gym are the games pitting Taguig against Marikina at 8 a.m., Muntinlupa vs Malabon (0-4) at 9:20 a.m., and Antipolo (1-3) vs Quezon City at 10:40 a.m.