Pirates whip Marlins, earn first MBA win

Pasig-Rizal made a sizzling third quarter attack and clobbered Socsargen, 90-74, for its first victory in two starts in the 2000 MBA Fedex Cup at the newly-built General Santos City Coliseum yesterday.

Behind the exploits of rookie sensation Warren Ibañez and former Marlin Malai Malabanan, the Pirates came up with decisive runs in the third-quarter as they humbled the Marlins right in their home turf.

Pasig-Rizal outscored Socsargen, 28-16, on its way to victory -- its first this season following a sorry loss to Davao at the Rizal Memorial Colleges gym Wednesday.

It was Socsargen's second straight loss under new coach Willie Generalao following a 66-71 setback to defending champion Manila on opening day.

Ibañez, a cat-quick guard out of PSBA in the NCRAA, struck hard on dazzling drives while Malabanan, acquired by the team in exchange for Lowell Briones and Jay Magat, scored heavily from the longcourt as the Pirates pummeled the Marlins in the pivotal quarter to erect a 76-56 lead going into the final canto.

The Pirates even padded it to 85-60 as Patrick Benedicto took his turn to deliver the goods for the team.

Socsargen came within 68-75 through the efforts of Magat and Briones but that proved to be the Marlins' last hurrah.

Jonathan de Guzman likewise made his presence felt for Pasig, going 4-of-8 from the three-point arc and finishing with 15 points.

De Guzman's outside shooting opened up Socsargen's interior defense, giving Michael Otto and the other Pasig-Rizal big men more room to operate on.