Pasig City stuns Batang Kankaloo on the road, forces Game 3 in MPBL Playoffs clash

"Big Shot Rob" struck in Caloocan as Pasig City forced a Game 3 in the MPBL Playoffs. MPBL

By Ivan Saldajeno

CALOOCAN--Pasig City lived to fight another week in the MPBL Playoffs after stunning Batang Kankaloo on the road, 65-61, on Friday night at the Caloocan Sports Complex.

An 8-0 run late in the fourth quarter decided the outcome as Pasig City tied its best-of-three first-round series against Batang Kankaloo.

Down 58-56 with a little over four minutes left, a three-pointer from Robbie Manalang with 3:20 to go sparked Pasig City's game-turning run that gave the team a 64-58 cushion with 27.5 seconds remaining.

Reil Cervantes kept Batang Kankaloo in the game with a three-pointer with 16.9 seconds left, but a split from the line by Tonton Peralta iced it for Pasig City.

Manalang finished with 23 points on 8-for-15 shooting including 4-of-7 from threes, two assists, and three steals for Pasig City.

Kenny Rocacurva added 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and three steals.

Paul Sanga led Batang Kankaloo with 12 points on three triples, one rebound, one assist, and one steal off the bench.

Game 3 is scheduled for next Friday, which means Pampanga, which eliminated Marikina in the first game, will get an extra week of rest before returning to action in the North Division semifinals.

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