Athletics, Supremos topple MPBL rivals

MANILA, Philippines — Tanduay bucked a depleted roster and fought off a late Quezon City rally to pound out a 95-90 victory and join the early winners in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at the Caloocan Sports Complex late Wednesday.

The Athletics, the inaugural MPBL champions, played without key players Val Acuña, Jhaymo Eguilos and Mon Rogado but banked on Bong Galanza and Dennice Villamor’s heroics to pull off the tough win.

Galanza, a former member of the Kia team in the PBA, sizzled with 28 points spiked by five triples, as Batangas City weathered repeated rallies by QC, one of the expansion teams in the fledgling league.

Meanwhile, host Caloocan Supremos-Longrich snapped a five-game skid dating back to the inaugural Rajah Cup with a 91-81 victory over Pasig-Gameville.

Mar Villahermosa shot 18 points and finished with six rebounds and three assists while ex-pro Jopher Custodio and Cedric Labing-isa added 13 points apiece and Joseph Nalos contributed 12 markers.

New recruits JR Cawaling and Paul Sanga chipped in 11 points apiece to help anchor the Supremos’ come-from-behind victory.

The Supremos trailed, 42-56, in the early part of the third period but rallied in the fourth before dominating the Pasig Pirates at endgame to complete the 10-point victory.