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Rizal XentroMall sustained its strong start with a 71-69 dumping of Muntinlupa on Monday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Its morale boosted by an upset of defending national champion Pampanga on April 9, the Rizal Golden Coolers broke free midway through the fourth quarter en route to their second straight win in the 30-team tournament.
Alwyn Alday shone for Rizal, now being coached by Ralph Rivera, with 24 points, including four triples, four rebounds, one steal, and one block.
Other Golden Coolers who delivered were homegrown John Apacible, with 18 points and five rebounds; Keith Agovida, with 12 points and three rebounds; Kraniel Villoria, with 9 points, six steals, five assists, and four rebounds, and Marco Balagtas, with 9 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Muntinlupa, which dropped to 0-2, got 15 points from Jasper Longalong and 13 points plus nine rebounds from Joshua Guiab. Pampanga barely avoided another setback through the heroics of Encho Serrano, who buried two free throws to seal the outcome, 86-85, with just a second left in the second game.
Carrying the offensive load in the absence of reigning league MVP Justine Baltazar, Serrano scored 29 points and two rebounds for the Giant Lanterns, who also received 11 points and 13 rebounds from Jhaymo Eguilos and 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists from MJ Garcia.
Marikina fell to 0-2 despite Marc Andrei Igliane’s 27-point, 7-treble, and 5-rebound performance. Homegrown Eloie Tan tallied 14 points, seven rebounds, six assists, six steals, and one block for the Shoemasters.
Quezon City TODA Aksyon cruised past Imus Aguimat, 91-70, in the opener to rise to 2-0.
Homegrown Kenji Roman paced a balanced Quezon City attack with 17 points, three rebounds, and three assists, followed by Edzel Mag-isa with 11 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. Chino Mosqueda, another homegrown, and Jonas Tibayan added 11 points each. High-flyer Rhinwill Yambing posted 10 points, three rebounds, and two blocks for Quezon City Coach Egay Macaraya.
Imus, which absorbed its second straight loss, got 20 points, seven rebounds, three steals from John Rey Sumido, 12 points from Christian John Luengo, and 11 points plus 14 rebounds from Kenneth Estabillo.
Quezon City subdued Muntinlupa, 81-74, on April 10.
Also holding 2-0 records are Bataan, newcomer Abra, Zamboanga, Batangas, Negros, and Paranaque.
The MPBL goes to the Paco Arena on Wednesday with a triple bill pitting Bacolod against Sarangani at 4 p.m., Bulacan against Pangasinan at 6 p.m., and Bataan against Manila at 8 p.m.
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