Pasig obliterates Imus to take 3rd place in MPBL Invitational

Despite missing out on the jackpot, Pasig finished strong in the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational. Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas/MPBL

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASAY--Pasig turned up the notch in the second quarter and eventually sealed a 100-80 rout against Imus in the third-place game of the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Realtors began pulling away from the Bandera after the first 10 minutes of the game, dropping 30 second-quarter points to open a 53-41 cushion at halftime.

The lead further ballooned in the second half and eventually reached 31 points, 94-63, with 5:51 left in the fourth quarter.

Jeckster Apinan made 16 points, nine rebounds, one assist, two steals, and one block for Pasig, which took home PHP200,000 for the bronze medal finish even as the team redeemed itself from a heartbreaking semifinal defeat to Basilan the night before.

"After ng game siyempre masama yung loob namin, gusto rin naming pumasok ng finals," Coach Bong Dela Cruz rued.

Team skipper Jeric Teng, who according to Dela Cruz gave a pep talk to his comrades before the battle for third, added 14 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.

"Sa [group chat] namin nag usap naman, inistart ni cap na bounce back kami today so nag follow na lang yung ibang players," Dela Cruz relayed what Teng did.

Genmar Bragais fired 23 markers, six boards, and two dimes for Imus, which missed Adi Santos due to a sprained ankle.

The Scores:

Pasig-Sta. Lucia 100 - Apinan 16, Teng 14, Bautista 12, Costelo 12, Lingganay 9, Arana 8, Caralipio 8, Mina 6, Ablaza 6, Chan 6, Yu 3, Pena 0.

Imus-Buracai de Laiya 80 - Bragais 23, Reyson 14, Melencio 10, Eguilos 10, Tan 6, Llagas 6, Mangalino 6, Medalla 3, Mescalado 2, Go 0, Fuentes 0.

Quarterscores: 23-19, 53-41, 77-56, 100-80.

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