MANILA – Jeramer Cabanag drilled a go-ahead triple as Caloocan Batang Kankaloo scored an 84-82 victory over Negros Muscovados in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
Down 82-81 with under a minute left, the Bacolod City-native Cabanag beat the shot clock with a booming three-pointer from way outside to give Kankaloo an 84-82 advantage.
The Muscovados were unable to tie the score on the other end following a missed attempt from Jason Melano before Caloocan used the clock well to preserve the close win.
Cabanag finished the game with 19 points, including five three-point conversions, to go with three rebounds, three assists, one steal and a block for the streaking Kankaloo.
Paul Joseph Sanga added 15 markers, with two outside connections, while former FEU Tamaraws teammate Reil Cervantes contributed 11 as Caloocan improved to 9-4 win-loss slate.
With Caloocan clinging to a slim 17-16 lead after the first quarter, the Muscovados had a huge second quarter behind Melano and Pao Javelona as they surged to a 41-36 lead at the half.
The Muscovados went on to build a 49-39 lead via a triple by Jose Piero Longa and a basket from Mark Maloles but Caloocan stayed behind to cut the deficit to 59-63 heading into the final quarter.
In the fourth frame, Caloocan went on with its run until it took an 81-79 lead via a triple by Sanga and a layup by Jhygruz Laude but Negros regained the lead at 82-81 on a three-point play by Javelona.
Melano finished with 18 points and six rebounds, while Javelona added 16 markers, with two outside conversions as the slumping Muscovados dropped to 4-9 slate.
The Muscovados will hope to end their four-game losing skid when they battle Laguna Krah Heroes at six in the evening on June 13 at the STRIKE Gymnasium in Bacoor, Cavite.
BOX SCORE:
CALOOCAN 84 — Cabanag 19, Sanga 15, Cervantes 11, Espinas 8, Bonsubre 7, Laude 6, Tayongtong 6, Baracael 5, Iñigo 3, Matias 3, Gayosa 1, Palencia 0, Valin 0, Cinco 0, Casin 0.
NEGROS 82 — Melano 18, Javelona 16, Dela Cruz 9, Cuyos 7, Maloles 7, Villafranca 5, Ingles 5, Gantalao 4, Longa 3, Racho 3, Bartolo 3, Santillan 2, Bregondo 0, Albo 0.
Quarterscores: 17-16, 36-41, 59-63, 84-82./PN
