Kapangan overcame a cold first half and cruised to a 91-81 victory over upset conscious Atok to get the last quarterfinals slot while Mankayan booked itself a quarterfinals berth after a hard-fought victory over Kabayan, 72-69, in the Cong. Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup.
Down by as much as 11 in the first canto, Kapangan rallied to take a five-point lead, 44-39, at halftime with Adam Clee Paraan reporting for the first time halfway into that period.
A pumped up Kapangan found its rhythm to take a 12-point lead before Atok rallied and even take a 69-66 lead at the end of the third canto.
Kapangan, however, stepped up its game in the last quarter to coast for the win.
Fenrie Atinyao led Kapangan’s effort with 23 points, 15 rebounds aside from dishing five assists, two steals and three blocks.
Jayson Vicente added 20 points, while Paraan came off the bench with nine markers, seven rebounds as well as two assists and four steals.
Kurt Tamiray made 14 points while Denver Ganado added 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Atok’s losing effort.
With the win improving to 6-7 win-loss card, Kapangan thus grabbed the seventh seed ahead of Mankayan.
Mankayan, meanwhile, trailed Kabayan, 34-24, halfway in the second canto but a 9-2 run cut the deficit to only three, 36-33, at halftime.
Noel Peralta jumped the gun early for a 7-0 run and a 40-36 lead as Mankayan coasted to a 57-43 at the end of the third quarter.
Kabayan was able to reduce the deficit to nine, 52-61, halfway into the fourth canto then mounted an 8-0 run to cut Mankayan’s leads by one, 61-60, and barely three minutes remaining.
But Mankayan hung on, including a rejection on Pat Merino and Teofilo Albert at the dying seconds.
Lenz Antolino led Mankayan with 16 points including six assists, a steal and two blocks.
Jonathan Peralta added 13 markers with three rebounds and six steals.
Kabayan was led by Kyle Naisod anew with his double double of 21 points, 11 rebounds on top of three assists and a steal, while Albert added 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals.
The quarterfinals thus pits league leader Bokod opposite Mankayan, La Trinidad versus Kapangan, Itogon facing Buguias and Itogon up against La Trinidad 2. The top four are twice to beat.
The quarterfinals is set Nov. 4 at the Tuba gym. The rubber match, if there are, will be on Nov. 5. – Press release
