Mandaluyong Namayan scored a massive upset on Sunday at the San Andres Gymnasium in Manila, handing Taytay its first loss in the National Capital Region Leg of the Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League 18-Under tournament by way of a 101-89 decision.
The Tigre, who were coming off a crushing 63-86 loss to Mapua-521 Trading just the other day, leaned on the duo of James Corpuz and Joseph Catome to rise to 3-2 in this 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, 5-of-9 from deep, while Catome produced a stellar line of 25 points, three rebounds, two steals, and two assists to snap Mandaluyong’s two-game skid.
With their starters not clicking, the Builders relied on their off-the-bench duo of Jashlie De Leon and debuting Keith Bencalo, who got 18 points apiece. However, their efforts were not enough as Taytay fell to 2-1 — half-a-game behind leg leaders Farm Fresh-Letran and NBS Kris.
In the other NCR leg game, UST-commits Mark Llemit and James Jumao-as, along with incoming Adamson freshman Peter Rosillo, joined hands in carrying Fin & Claw Grill to an 87-84 escape of 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, pushing Fin & Claw to a 2-1 record while dropping Manila to a 0-3 slate.
In the sole Luzon leg of the day also had at the same Manila venue, Datzluv Sta. Cruz earned its third straight win to remain on pace with Pampanga Pradera after eking out an 84-77 win over Calamba City.
Four players scored in double-figures for the team that also has Builders as monicker with Geo Argonza scoring 14, Jasper Matienzo finishing with 13, Amiel Lopez chipping in 11, and Skyler Glen adding 10.
Edrian Palma (19 points) was the high point man for Calamba, who 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 3-2 DBxR with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists while also notching seven steals.
Jose Marie Tumabang also produced a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
In the other game, Basak Where I Belong knotted Consolacion Black Sharma in the standings at 2-3 after a 97-86 victory.
Sidlak Danao fell to 0-6.
