MANDALUYONG Namayan scored a major upset on Sunday at the San Andres Gymnasium in Manila after handing Taytay its first loss, 101-89, in the National Capital Region Leg of the Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League 18-Under tournament.
The Tigre, coming off a crushing 63-86 loss to Mapua-521 Trading just the other day, leaned on James Corpuz and Joseph Catome to improve to 3-2 won-lost in the tournament co-presented by SCD and Dumper party-list, and supported by J Project Clothings, MDC, Bluesky Advertising, NET 25, Wcube Solutions Inc., Hotel SOGO and Converge.
Corpuz tallied 27 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field and 5-of-9 from the three-point zone, while Catome produced 25 points, three rebounds, two steals and two assists to snap Mandaluyong’s two-game skid.
With their starters going dud, the Builders relied on off-the-bench Jashlie De Leon and debuting Keith Bencalo, who got 18 points apiece.
But their efforts were not enough as Taytay fell to a 2-1 card, half-a-game behind leg leaders Farm Fresh-Letran and NBS Kris.
Upcoming University of Santo Tomas players Mark Llemit and James Jumao-as, along with incoming Adamson University freshman Peter Rosillo, joined hands in carrying Fin & Claw Grill to an 87-84 escape past Magnificent Manila.
Rosillo tallied 16 points, four rebounds and four assists; Jumao-as got 13 points and three rebounds; while Llemit added 12 points and eight rebounds to push Fin & Claw to a 2-1 record while dropping Manila to 0-3.
In the sole Luzon leg of the day in the same Manila venue, Datzluv Sta. Cruz earned its third straight win, 84-77 over Calamba City, to stay in stride with Pampanga Pradera.
Four players scored in double-figures for the Builders with Geo Argonza scoring 14, Jasper Matienzo 13, Amiel Lopez 11 and Skyler Glen adding 10.
Edrian Palma (19 points) was the high point man for Calamba, which fell to 2-3.
Over at the Cebu City Sports Institute, Dea’s Bakeshop X RAD racked up its third straight win after beating hapless Sidlak Danao, 82-71.
Ateneo-commit Michael Asoro tallied the first triple-double of the season for the DBxR (3-2) with 10 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and seven steals.
Jose Marie Tumabang also produced a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds.
In the other game, Basak Where I Belong tied Consolacion Black Sharma in the standings at 2-3 after a 97-86 victory. Sidlak Danao fell to 0-6.