MANILA, Philippines - Caloocan stunned Mandaluyong, 80-79, and host Antipolo hung on to beat Taguig, 86-74, Tuesday in the one-round Inter-Zonal phase of the second Coca-Cola Hoopla at the Ynares covered court in Barangay San Jose, Antipolo.
With assistant mentor Brian Angeles subbing for head coach Ben Ledesma, Caloocan raced to a 63-49 lead only to watch Mandaluyong rally to tie the game five times, the last at 79-all with 29 seconds remaining.
Edward Obedosa of Caloocan was fouled with 14 seconds left and hit a free throw, leaving the door open for Mandaluyong.
Mandaluyong coach Romeo Bolido sued for time, but Rafael Rebugio, who finished with 23 points, missed a 20-footer as time expired.
Quezon City leads the five-team field with a 1-0 slate. Antipolo, Mandaluyong and Caloocan are tied at 1-1, and Taguig brings up the rear, 0-1.
Antipolo nearly blew a 48-26 advantage in the third period, turning sloppy as Taguig charged back to within, 62-59.
But urged on by the hometown crowd that included Barangay Captain Reynaldo Leyva, the host team bounced back in the payoff period with big man Michael Dizon leading the counterattack.
JB Baylon, Coca-Cola Export vice president for communication and public affairs, was elated at the big crowd who enthusiastically watched the double-header.
Dizon scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds, Bernardo Baliton added 19, Bernardo Repato 16, and Edward Abila 10.
Behind a 12-2 run where Dizon scored seven, Antipolo steered out of trouble to erase the bitter memory of its defeat to Mandaluyng on opening day.