Mindoro fends off Manila in MPBL Invitational

James Castro

Mindoro-EOG Burlington rode on an inspired performance from Ryusei Koga to fend off Manila, 80-77, in their opening match at the Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational powered by TM, Sunday afternoon at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Koga nailed a three-pointer with 106 seconds left in the game to extend the Tamaraws' lead to 78-73. He would finish with seventeen points, three rebounds, and four assists.

Manila would eventually manage to cut down the deficit to a couple of points after Brent Paraiso secured a couple of free throws, but James Castro would ice the game with a couple of his own to preserve the victory for Mindoro.

Tamaraws head coach Britt Reroma credits the team's chemistry in the win. He said post-game, "If you notice yung mga players namin they're more familiar with each other. So kasi maigsi nga lang yung preparation, so we formed a team na kilala talaga namin."

For Koga, it was a special win, dedicating it to his late grandfather Antonio Geralao, who passed away last November 3. He shared afterwards, "It's my lolo's 40th day today so before the game talagang pinuntahan ko yung puntod niya, nag dasal ako. Super fan ko siya, every game ko noon nanonood siya kaya sabi ko yung game na 'to para sa kaniya."

Castro finished with seventeen points in the win, with Alvin Baetiong adding thirteen and six rebounds, while Jeymark Mallari and Jeramer Cabanag combining for seventeen points as well.

John Ambulodto and Paraiso led the way for Manila with 14 points apiece.

Mindoro hopes for back-to-back victories against Bulacan on Tuesday at 930am, with Manila seeking an immediate bounce back against Rizal on Monday, also at 930am.

The Scores:

Mindoro (80) - Castro 17, Koga 17, Baetiong 13, Mallari 9, Cabanag 8, Mariano 8, Matias 3, Villapando 3, Cosejo 2, Liwag 0, Saldana 0, Caldozo 0

Manila (77) - Ambulodto 14, Paraiso 14, Cruz 11, Sara 9, Villanueva 9, Dyke 8, Bataller 5, Mangahas 4, Importante 3, Lopez 0, Asuncion 0, Baltazar 0

Quarterscores: 22-17, 45-38, 65-55, 80-77