Caloocan storms past Valenzuela to seize solo MPBL lead

Kymani Ladi led Caloocan with 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists, edging Jeff Manday, who tallied 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals, for the best player honors.

Rommel Calahat added 11 points and 4 rebounds, Jammer Jamito chipped in 10 points and 6 rebounds, while Antonio Bonsubre posted 4 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks as the Batang Kankaloo moved ahead of the Gensan Warriors (7-0) and widened their cushion over the Quezon Huskers (5-0).

Valenzuela dropped to 4-4, with Jay Collado providing the lone resistance with 13 points and 6 rebounds.

In the opener, Cebu extended its strong run with a 96-77 win over Zamboanga SiKat, while Quezon City regained form with a 96-87 victory over Ilagan Isabela in the second game.

The Cebu Greats broke the game open with a 14-point burst, highlighted by Cebuano legend Dondon Hontiveros’ two triples and Jonathan Gesalem’s back-to-back threes, to pull away 38-27 en route to their fourth straight win and a 6-2 record.

Mark Meneses led Cebu with 19 points, highlighted by a one-handed slam, along with 11 rebounds and 2 steals. He was backed by Wowie Escosio with 15 points and 5 rebounds, Paul Desiderio with 13 points and 2 rebounds, and Simon Camacho with 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 assists.

Brian Heruela was named best player after finishing with 4 points, 15 assists, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals for Cebu.

The 48-year-old Hontiveros finished with 7 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists, while his 23-year-old son Ice added 7 points and 2 rebounds.

Zamboanga absorbed its fourth straight loss and dropped to 1-6 despite Paeng Are’s 21-point, 9-rebound, 4-assist effort.

Spearheaded by Ryan Costelo, the Quezon City Black Bulls surged ahead 61-34 before coasting to their fifth win in eight games, the same record as the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys, who have now lost back-to-back outings.

Costelo finished with 17 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds, while Clark Derige added 15 points and 9 rebounds. Brian Rosalin contributed 14 points and 8 rebounds, and ML Joson had 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.

For Ilagan Isabela, JP Cauilan had 17 points and 4 rebounds, Arth Dela Cruz posted 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists, Joseph Gabayni added 13 points and 5 rebounds, while Jayboy Solis and Kyle Paranada chipped in 10 points each.

The tournament resumes Wednesday at the Ynares Center Montalban with Manila facing Pasay at 4 p.m., Gensan taking on Negros at 6 p.m., and host Rizal battling Basilan at 8 p.m.