CAVITE, Philippines — In what could be his last home game for Imus-Khaleb Shawarma, Jayjay Helterbrand took a step back, giving way to one of the homegrown talents of the team to shine.
“I’m just enjoying our remaining games here in Imus,” said the six-time PBA champion, who is still unsure of whether he will make a return next season. “So proud of these guys.”
One of the players that stepped up and thrilled the home crowd was Cavite-native John Cantimbuhan.
Cantimbuhan, who just turned 23 last Dec. 14, helped the Khaleb Shawarma-backed Bandera arrest their seven-game losing skid, hammering Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines, 86-71, at the Imus Sports Complex here.
In the other games in this Chooks-To-Go MPBL Lakan Season bill, Iloilo escaped past Rizal-Xentro Mall, 71-65, while Bacolod Master Sardines outlasted Bicol-LCC Stores, 76-72, in overtime.
The former La Salle-Dasmariñas standout scattered 10 points on a very efficient 4-of-5 clip, all scored in the first half, and added four assists and two rebounds in just 16 minutes of play.
Cantimbuhan powered Imus to a strong opening half where they led by 17 points at the break, 50-33.
Before the game, he was averaging merely 3.7 points, 1.7 boards, 1.7 dimes and 11 minutes per outing.
“Nung pagpasok ko dito sa Imus, hindi ko pa masyado kilala si John pero sabi ko bibigyan ko ito ng chance lalo na’t home game ito. Maganda yung umpisa niya kanina kaya sabi ko sa kanya makukuha natin ito, ang ganda ng laro mo,” said Imus coach Raymond Valenzona.
Cantimbuhan formerly suited up with the Dasmariñas Ballers in the National Basketball League (NBL) where he was named Season MVP back in 2018.
Other homegrown Imuseños got their share of the spotlight as Ghed Ong started in the game, finishing with six points, while John Gonzaga made his first basket in the MPBL via a free throw and a layup in the waning seconds of the game to the delight of the Bandera crowd.