2 weeks Ago By Jun B. Migallen
CEBU Classic made a good start but went cold in the fourth quarter, bowing down to the Muntinlupa Cagers, 77-70, in the ongoing Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2025 Season at the FPJ Arena in San Jose, Batangas, on Friday, April 4.Marvin Hayes came out as the man of the hour when he fired two successive three-point bombers that secured the win for Muntinlupa.Trailing 54-59, the Cagers unleashed a 15-3 run to seize control at 69-62 with four minutes and seven seconds to go.
Cebu’s Gryann Mendoza retaliated with three free throws, but Hayes -- proving he’s more than just a power rebounder -- drilled in his back-to-back triples to seal Muntinlupa’s second straight win in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.Hayes posted 18 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and two steals to earn Best Player honors in the tight game that saw 14 lead-changes and five deadlocks.Supporting Hayes were Dom Matillano (12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists), Mart James Barrera (12 points, 3 rebounds), Kurt Lojera (11 points, 5 rebounds), and John Cantimbuhan (10 points, 4 assists).
With the setback, Cebu fell to 2-4 despite Mendoza’s 20-point production, coupled with four rebounds, four assists, and two steals.Ladis Lapelam also had a good showing with 19 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks, while Dennis Santos chipped in nine points, four rebounds, and three assists.Riding on the offensive prowess of Mendoza and Lepalam, the Classic surged ahead in the first quarter, 26-13, and maintained their lead at 33-28 with 1:51 left in the second frame.
However, Cebu failed to sustain the momentum when Barrera hit a pull-up jumper and a three-pointer, knotting the count at 34-all at the end of the first half.The third quarter was a flurry of intense action with both teams displaying their skills and exchanging leads.Ultimately, the Cagers pulled away in the fourth quarter, riding on Hayes’ heroics to subdue Cebu Classic.
The scores:Muntinlupa (77) - Hayes 18, Barera 12, Matillano 12, Lojera 11, Cantimbuhan 10, Lastimosa 5, Sarangay 3, Ramos 3, Gob 2, De Leon 1.Cebu (70) - Mendoza 20, Lepalam 19, Santos 9, Meneses 5, Tampus 4, Hubalde 3, Hiro 3, Holmqvist 3, Meca 2, Imperial 2.Quarters: 13-26, 34-34, 52-53, 77-70.
/ JBM.
