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| Michael Canete and the Weavers still know how to win in Pangasinan. MPBL |
MANILA--The Abra Weavers recovered from a flat start to trounce the Negros Muscovados, 69-57, in their MPBL clash on Saturday night at the Calasiao Sports Complex and boosted their record to 3-2 in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.
Propped up by the big hometown crowd, the Pangasinan Heatwaves torched the Marikina Shoemasters, 80-68, in the nightcap to raise their record to 2-3.
Bolstered by the return of 6-foot-7 Prince Caperal, Abra charged back from a 0-12 start and a 34-37 halftime deficit to pull away at 69-56.
Wendelino Comboy led Abra with 15 points plus 3 rebounds, followed by Michael Canete with 14 points plus 5 rebounds.
Caperal tallied 11 points and 7 rebounds while prized recruit Clint Escamis posted 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals for the Weavers.
Negros, with no player able to break twin digits, dropped to a tie with its tormentor at 3-2. The Muscovados got 9 points from Alvin John Capobres and 8 each from James Paul Una and Mark Atabay.
Pangasinan banked on Michael Mabulac's 12 points and 13 rebounds to thwart Marikina, which opened the game with an 8-point run.
Other Heatwaves who delivered were Hesed Gabo with 10 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds, Vince Tolentino with 10 points, all in the third quarter, and homegrown JR Caasi with 8 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists.
Marikina, which suffered its fifth straight defeat, got 11 points each from homegrowns Eloie Tan and Jomel Landayan.
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