On Thursday at the Bacoor Strike Gym, Bacoor, Muntinlupa, and Caloocan took various paths to victory in the fifth season of the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League). The Bacoor Strikers rallied past the Makati OKBet Kings, 81-77
The previous match between Bacoor Strikers and Makati OKBet Kings was intense because both teams needed to score to reach each tier.
Bacoor is ranked first in the southern division, while Makati is two games behind the northern division. Therefore, every win will be crucial, making the battle even more exciting.
To add to the excitement, Rob Celiz of the Bacoor Team is a member of the 1000-point club, while Mark Yee of Makati is a member of the 1000-rebound club. The abilities of these players are incredibly unusual.
Despite being behind in the scores from the first to the third quarter, Bacoor comes up with a fantastic lineup in the fourth quarter. Bacoor strikers were able to win, led by Michael Canete, Jimboy Pasturan, and John Nermal.
It was an intense game throughout the fourth quarter, with both teams nonstop shooting three-pointers, making the fans go wild, not to mention they were chasing scores.
John Nermal’s three-point shot is no hesitation, while James Kukwetuye’s three-point shot is open and always on point.
Canete won best player honors with 20 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Mark Yee had 13 points and seven rebounds, Jhan Mchale Nermal had 12 points and seven rebounds, Kwekuteye had 11 points, and Pasturan had ten points.
Regardless of the loss of Makati, they still performed admirably in the game. Rob Celiz led the way with 24 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Emman Calo added 14 points, three rebounds, and three assists, and Billy Robles chipped in with 10 points, four rebounds, and three steals.
In the final few minutes of the fourth quarter, Makati needed help finding an open opportunity to gain scores, and they were also pushing their shots.
Today, Friday, the MPBL goes to the Baliwag Star Arena for a tripleheader featuring Quezon City versus Quezon at 4 p.m., Iloilo versus Negros at 6 p.m., and Zamboanga versus Bulacan at 8 p.m.
