The NMBA Mix Bloods scored a solid 23 points in the final quarter to end team MDX Blue Haus, 75-71 during Thursday’s game of the 2011 United Filipino Association Basketball League-Budweiser Cup at the Tan Siu Lin Sports Complex.
Morales tallied a late-game 12 points, landing two three-pointers and two jumpers to secure the game.
Since dropping their lead in the second quarter, Blue Haus needed no room for mistakes. Zidy Johanes, however, scored only one of his many last-minute layups and Zack Diaz found no luck after being flanked by Randy Mungcal and Morales.
Mungcal aided the Mix Bloods’ winning rally with eight points, piling 19 overall. Joker Camacho connected his second layup of the night while Pagarao hammered a free throw shot.
Alex Lauron, who missed the action from the third quarter, hoped for a better run in the closing 10 minutes. Dexter Tenorio posted eight more points, Ben Lisua added three, and Zack Diaz earned two, but it still wasn’t enough.
Mungcal kept possession on eight rebounds and Morales shot a three-pointer to knock Blue Haus back, 52-48 just 30 seconds before the fourth quarter. The Mix Bloods stood ahead, 69-63 with a minute left on the clock.
Despite his loss, Blue Haus’ Zack Diaz stood out with nine rebounds, two blocks, one assist, and one steal.
Morales finished off with a game-high 25 points.
Scores:
NMBA Mix Blood 75 – D. Morales 25, R. Mungcal 19, J. Pagarao 17, J. Ito 7, J. Camacho 4, R. Valiente 3
MDX Blue Haus 71 – D. Tenorio 15, Palacios 10, Z. Babauta 10, A. Lauron 9, Z. Diaz 9, Z. Johanes 7, J. Ulloa 4, B. Lisua 3, J. Galulu 2, J. Mina 2
Quarter scores: 11-13, 33-26, 52-48, 75-71
