Pampanga rules Cloudfone Batang PBA National Finals
Mark Adrian Mallari saved his best for last, exploding for 35 points yesterday to power resilient Pampanga past Iloilo, 101-94, in a riveting championship game that concluded the 2016 Cloudfone-Batang PBA National Finals at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.
Named Most Valuable Player for his heroics, Mallari stood at the forefront of a mighty Pampanga comeback from 70-64 at the start of the fourth quarter in a rally reminiscent of their counterattack from 13 points down against Iloilo in the preliminaries.
Backing up Mallari in the last quarter assault are Miguel Pangilinan with 21 points overall, Justine Dale Bondoc with 19 and Gabriel Baluyot 17 points.
It was a painful loss for the Ilongos, who maintained a six-point halftime lead heading to the last 10 minutes only to falter. King James Gaborno had 20 points, Marvin Cuerbo 19 and Giann Paul Nahine and Ralph Bajon 14 points each for Iloilo.
In the battle for third place, Vince Petdeo Cuajao fired 20 points and Aljay Alloso 16 as Davao City rolled back Laguna, 93-65, breaking the game open in the second quarter.
Joining Mallari and Pampango teammate Bondoc in the Cloudfone Mythical Team are Ryan Calama-an and Nahime of Iloilo, and Cuajao of Davao.
Scores:
DAVAO (93) – Cuajao 20, Alloso 16, Paquera 12, Reyes 12, Escalera 10, Villanueva 10, Pacifico 6, Aballe 4, Jamora 2, Villlasenda 1, Duran 0, Dataya 0.
LAGUNA (65) – Alanguilan 12, Trinidd 10, Canet 10, Clauss 8, Defante 7, dela Cruz 6, Mance 4, Batayon 3, Limun 3, Los Banes 2, Maat 0, Cuesta 0.
Quarters: 24-24; 44-36; 72-49; 93-65
Second Game:
PAMPANGA (101) – Mallari 35, Pangilinan M. 21, Bondoc 19, Baluyut 17, Sarmiento 3, Briones 2, Paule 2, Casing-Casing 2, Delfino 0, Miclat 0, Pangilinan R. 0, Crisologo 0.
ILOILO (94) – Gaborno 20, Cuerbo 18, Nahine 14, Bajon 14, Calamaan 8, Dalumpines 8, Estonilo 4, Suares 3, Tono 3, Jimenez 2, Palis 0, Palmos 0.
Quarters: 19 -17; 40-46; 64-70; 101-94
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