With Abuy and Ferdie Dela Torre leading the offense in the first quarter with six points apiece, Palms Resort was leading by three points.
Palms Resort made the best use of their height as they grabbed offensive and defensive rebounds, most of which were converted to points to maintain their lead towards the end of the first half.
Jun Alipio who caught up in the second quarter, surged to eight points while Abuy delivered four of his 19 points to keep Moonlight ahead.
Abuy completed a series of fast breaks and connected a three-point opportunity while Pineda and Alipio added four more apiece to protect their lead.
At this period, Bernardine Aquino carried Moonlight’s burden to keep pace with Palms Resort firing 12 of his 19 points.
With Melvin Capalad going lucky in the inside, Moonlight closed in. He continued the surge and with Libuw and Aquino continues to deliver, Moonlight grabbed the lead with three minutes left in the ball game.
After Moonlight’s missed shot, Pineda went unguarded at the back court, Alipio grabbed the defensive rebound hurled the ball and Pineda got to cut Moonlight’s lead.
Palms Resort tightened their defense, Pineda who did not leave his favorite spot got the ball again.
After another two-pointer, Pineda picked up foul and basketed his two penalty shots for a one-point lead, leaving Moonlight 12 seconds to save the day. The ball went wayward as both teams raged on, killing the precious time.
Moonlight’s possession, two seconds left, Libuw received the in-bound and fired to the center.
The ball hit the basket but that was after the buzzer. Referee Pando Muleta called it no-counted, Palms win, 75-74.
Mythical 84, Cargo 74
Jun Tabora and Miranda continued the surge in the fourth quarter leading Mythical’s 10-point victory over Cargo.
Tabora scored 14 of his 24 points as he broke the tie in the second quarter and Mythical did not look back.
With Buenabajo delivering six points to back him up, while Miranda and Echavez adding four points apiece, Mythical pulled away in the third quarter.
Then, Mythical secured their lead with Tabora and Miranda combining 12 points to secure their win.
Scores:
Palms Resort 75 – J. Abuy 19, J. Alipio 17, E. Pineda 16, F. Dela Torre 9, E. Dizon 8, E. Cosino 6.
Moonlight 74 – M. Capalad 28, B. Aquino 19, B. Vargas 9, Libuw 8, V. Mallari 4, S. Fernandez 2, A. Lazona 2, A. Ramirez 2.
Quarterscores: 20-17, 39-36, 58-54, 76-74
Mythical 84 – J. Tabora 24, G. Miranda 16, L. Factor 12, M. Buenabajo 6, E. Echavez 6, T. Alvarez 5, Morales 2, R. Jacob 1.
Cargo 74 – T. Diaz 31, J. Galulu 10, A. Hocog 8, E. Santos 8, J. Cadag 5, W. Capalad 4, J. Diyco 4, D. Isip 4.
Quarterscores: 18-18, 43-31, 65-49, 84-74
