MPBL: Cebu City keeps stride, claims Marikina’s scalp


 


Patrick Cabahug delivered another clutch performance as Cebu City make it three wins in a row. MPBL Facebook Page File Photo

By Ricky Manliguis

MANILA—Cebu City leaned on timely hits by Patrick Cabahug down the stretch as it nosed out Marikina, 78-74, for its third straight win in Saturday night’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Datu Cup festivities at the Mayor Vitaliano Agan Coliseum in Zamboanga City. 

The 6-foot-2 Cabahug scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half, but none bigger than his five points in the final minute as the Casino Ethyl Alcohol-backed Sharks notched its third straight win and a 4-8 record in the South Division. 

After Erwin Sta. Maria’s lay-up gave Marikina a slim 74-73 lead, Cahabug fired a go-ahead triple to snatch the lead back to the Sharks, 76-74, with 56 seconds left. 

The former Adamson Falcon then followed it up with a tough fade-away off the outstretched arms of Dexter Mescallando with 23.7 left that proved to be the dagger. 

New acquisition Gayford Rodriguez backstopped Cahabug with 15 points for Cebu City, which also got 11 from Edrian Lao and eight from Rhaffy Octobre. 

Yves Sazon registered a game-high 23 points, but couldn’t stop the Shoemasters to taste its fifth straight defeat for a 4-8 card. Renato Ular and Sta. Maria chalked 18 and 11, respectively. 

The Scores: 

Cebu City 78—Cabahug 17, Rodriguez 15, Lao 11, Octobre 8, Cortes 7, Codilla 4, Nuñez 4, McAloney 4, Puerto 3, Yu 3, Catli 2, Ilad 0, Abad 0. 

Marikina 74— Sazon 23, Ular 18, Sta. Maria 11, Mescallando 10, Costelo 6, Ng Sang 2, Salvador 2, Roy 2, Baytiong 0, Po 0, Deles 0, Ybañez 0.  

Quarterscores: 14-23, 34-43, 58-57,78-74.


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