Cebu stretches last dash to MPBL playoffs with huge win vs QC

Will McAloney helped lift the Sharks to a crucial win against the Capitals. MPBL

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Cebu stayed alive in the race for a playoff spot in the MPBL Lakan Season with a crucial 95-89 win against Quezon City on Wednesday night at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

The Sharks took control for most of the first half and entered halftime ahead, 47-36, and even stretched it to 17, 65-48, with 3:43 left in the third quarter.

The Capitals, however, responded with a 17-2 run spanning through the fourth quarter to cut the lead down to two, 67-65, with 8:24 to play.

Cebu came back with an 11-4 run of its own to once again stretch its lead to nine, 78-69, with 6:16 to play, but QC never wavered and kept its chances to steal the win intact.

The Sharks finally pulled away for good after sparking another 11-4 run to up their lead again to 13, 93-80, with 2:11 left.

"Sinabihan ko lang yung players ko nung halftime na huwag maging kumpyansa. Mabuti naman nakarecover sila nung fourth quarter nung humabol na ang Quezon City," Cebu head coach Noynoy Falcasantos said.

Will McAloney and Fletcher Galvez each had identical 17-point and five-rebound stat lines for the Sharks, who are now at 11-12, one game behind the Bicol Volcanoes for the eighth spot in the Southern Division.

Joco Tayongtong put up 23 markers, three rebounds, one assists, four steals, and one block for the Capitals, who fell to 11th place in the Northern Division at 10-16 and are now in danger of getting eliminated from playoff contention.

The Scores:

Cebu-Casino Ethyl Alcohol 95 - McAloney 17, Galvez 17, Saycon 9, Octobre 9, Lee Yu 9, Cortez 7, Huang 7, Coronel 6, Nuñez 6, Viloria 3, Lao 1, Cenita 0.

Quezon City-WEMSAP 89 - Tayongtong 23, Caranguian 16, Olayon 14, Derige 13, Costelo 7, Mabayo 7, Castro 5, Gadon 4, Medina 0, Barua 0, Atabay 0.

Quarterscores: 25-17, 47-36, 67-61, 95-89.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno