MPBL: Manila hands Zamboanga 1st defeat

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Down goes Zamboanga!

The number of remaining undefeated teams in the MPBL regular season is now down to two after Manila finally dragged Zamboanga to the loss column with an 87-79 home win on Tuesday night at the Paco Arena.

Manila turned things around in the second quarter after outscoring Zamboanga, 23-10, to take a 36-32 halftime lead.

Zamboanga looked to have reclaimed momentum after getting the lead, 62-61, late in the third quarter, but a back-breaking triple from Marvin Lee to close the period sparked the game-deciding 20-3 run to seal the victory for Manila.

Zamboanga still tried to come back, but the team never got closer than six points in the end.

Ronnie Matias made 19 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, one block, and one steal to lead Manila, which has now won four straight games after a dismal 1-5 start to enter the .500 mark.

Lee added 16 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals.

Jayvee Marcelino put up 19 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and three steals for Zamboanga, which played without his twin brother Jaycee, Jeff Comia, Mon Mabayo