Bacoor City clips Zamboanga in MPBL South semis opener

Bacoor City held off Zamboanga at home. MPBL

By Ivan Saldajeno

BACOOR—Bacoor City banked on a solid defense and held off Zamboanga, 61-56, in Game 1 of their MPBL South Division Semifinals on Saturday night at the Bacoor City STRIKE Gymnasium.

Bacoor City stifled Zamboanga in the second and third quarters, holding them to just 10 points in each of the said quarters as the home side 46-37 lead entering the fourth.

Zamboanga threatened to pull a comeback and came to within five late in the contest, but blocks by Jhan Nermal and Mike Canete on the Marcelino Twins in their attempts helped seal the deal for Bacoor City.

Nermal led Bacoor City with 20 points, eight rebounds, one assist, two steals, and two blocks, while James Kwekuteye added 11 points, eight rebounds, one assist, two steals, and one block.

Jaycee Marcelino paced Zamboanga with 18 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals, but he committed six turnovers.

Game 2 is next Saturday at the Batangas City Sports Coliseum.

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