By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--Quezon City secured a seat in the MPBL Datu Cup playoffs with a 75-68 win against Cebu City at the Bataan People's Center in Balanga on Thursday night.
Following an exchange of quarter domination, the Capitals' third quarter blast turned out to be enough for them as the Sharks failed to bounce back in the final frame.
After a good start by Cebu City, QC ended the first quarter on a 13-0 run to take a 21-14 lead.
The Sharks responded with a 19-8 second quarter to go up, 33-29, at halftime.
But the Capitals' 27-11 third quarter showcase put them way ahead, 56-44, and they made sure the Sharks will not answer back by keeping them at bay in the final frame.
Jay Collado made 24 points and 11 rebounds for QC, which moved up to solo sixth place at 12-12.
Mon Mabayo also put up a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds with one assist and one steal off the bench.
John Tayongtong survived a knee injury scare in the second quarter and even finished the game.
Rhaffy Octobre (23 points and 11 rebounds) and Edrian Lao (21 points and 16 rebounds) made double-doubles of their own for Cebu City, which dropped to 11-14 at the close of their regular season campaign and may now need to await the results of the remaining games of Bacoor City, Zamboanga, and Imus to determine its playoff seed.
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