Laguna escapes Parañaque in MPBL home debut

Dexter Mescallado showed brute in Laguna's home debut. MPBL

By Ivan Saldajeno

STA. ROSA, Laguna--Laguna pulled off a great escape at home against Parañaque with a 74-68 win in their Thursday night MPBL clash at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Sports Complex here.

The Patriots threatened to steal the win from the Heroes after drawing to within one, 65-66, with 3:52 left, but a booming triple from Paolo Pontejos and back-to-back baskets from Ivan Villanueva, whose goal celebrations after the shots even drew the ire of the visiting team's fans, iced the game for the home side.

Laguna won despite the high intensity and emotion in the game which even saw Ken Acibar heading to the exits too early after incurring two unsportsmanlike fouls.

"Sabi ko sa kanila, huwag pumasok sa ulo nila yung init ng ulo kasi noong nangyayari yung mga yun, lamang kami, so ayaw naming masayang yung lamang namin and gusto naming manalo," Pontejos, who made 15 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals off the bench for the now 2-2 Heroes, told Dugout Philippines after the game.

Dexter Mescallado led the hosts with 16 points, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal.

Jef Egan put up 14 markers, two boards, and one dime to lead the Patriots, who fell to 1-3.

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