Pacman, MisOr 5 take TOP openers

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao’s MP Pacman GenSan pulled off a thrilling 68-65 win over Mandaue while Misamis Oriental dominated ANI-FCA, 96-72, at the start of the fourth leg of the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP) at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Center Tuesday.

Although Pacquiao did not suit up, the GenSan Warriors still fought back from 14 points down behind Louie Medalla to post their biggest win so far in the tournament jointly organized by the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas.

Despite their miserable stint at the free throw area – where they made only six of 26 tries – the Warriors relied on their defense to frustrate the hosts, who they held to just eight points in the last quarter while exploding for 22 points.

“I just told them to keep on trying. This is a big win because it came against the home team,” said GenSan coach Fean Del Rosario.

Misamis, meanwhile, drew big games from veteran forward Neil Raneses, who fired 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field.

Five other Misamis players, including former UAAP scoring champion Patrick Cabahug, scored in double figures as they dominated the match from the start to finish for the easy win in the tournament sponsored by Air21, Molten, Ascof Lagundi, Agrinurture, Treston College, Burlington and Basketball TV.

Cabahug finished with 17 points on a brilliant 3-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc.

The loss was ANI-FCA’s fifth straight and 12th overall counting its dismal 0-7 record in the PBL last March.