Munti forges KO for Hoopla berth

Manila, Philippines - Defending champion Muntinlupa made the most of a rare opportunity, edging host Taguig, 79-77, Friday and setting up a do-or-die for the South Zone berth in the Inter-Zonal phase of second Coca-Cola Hoopla National Capital Region Championship at the Dueñas gym.

The double-round Inter-Zonal matches, meanwhile, unfold today with Mandaluyong taking on Antipolo at 5 p.m. and Caloocan meeting Quezon City at 7 p.m. both at the Mandaluyong City Gym.

Kevin Buenaflor and Christian Paquinto keyed a closing spurt to ensure the win for Muntinlupa, which took the place of Pasay in the playoff due to a technicality.

The rubber match was ongoing at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex at presstime, with the winner joining Quezon City (East), Mandaluyong (Central), Antipolo (West) and Caloocan (North) in the two-round zonal matches.

“Nasa amin ang momentum. Yung first meeting namin talo agad kami sa Taguig,” said Muntinlupa coach Fred Levita. “Pipilitin naming kunin ang laro para makapasok sa semis.”

Muntinlupa dominated the first three quarters, leading by 10 points on several occasions, the last at 59-49 on Rommel Sanchez’s jumper.

Taguig, however, rallied behind a 16-6 run capped by John Lawrence Pumaris’ triple for 70-67 midway of the payoff period.

Buenaflor topscored with 16 points, Paquinto and Karl Salvador had 12 points each and Boy Ocampo 10.

Taguig top gunner Joshua Morris Mayor finished with 19 points but was held to only two in the fourth period.