MPBL: Quezon sweeps Paranaque to enter South finals

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon Huskers on Monday called on Judel Fuentes to repel the Paranaque Patriots, 76-69, and advance to the South Division finals of the 6th MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Season at the Batangas City Coliseum.

Fuentes pumped in 10 of his game-high 27 points in the fourth quarter to power the Huskers to a two-game sweep of the Patriots in their semifinal series. Quezon also won Game 1, 75-62.

Now, all the Huskers need to do is wait for the outcome of another semifinal series between the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters and the South Cotabato Warriors.

South Cotabato took Game 1, 87-76, and is also gunning for a sweep of Batangas late in the evening.

Showing why he's licensed to shoot, Fuentes made 10-of-18 field goal attempts, highlighted by a 5-of-11 performance from the 3-point zone, and added three rebounds to earn the Daily Fantasy Best Player honors.

Fuentes was the lone Husker in twin digits, with Jason Opiso and team skipper Gab Banal contributing eight points each and Alvin Abundo chipping in seven, all in the first half.

Banal also posted seven rebounds and three assists while Opiso grabbed four rebounds as the Huskers held the rein for 37 minutes and 27 seconds.

The Huskers, powered by Fuentes' 10 points, Abundo's seven and Banal's six, led at the break, 40-34, negating the 15-point contribution of Patriot JP Sarao and the nine-point output of Jielo Razon.

Sarao wound up with 26 points, eight rebounds and two steals; Razon with 15 points plus four rebounds; and John Uduba nine points plus 10 rebounds.

With Philip Manalang also snaring 10 rebounds and Kristan Hernandez pulling down nine, the Patriots outrebounded the Huskers, 45-37. However, they were hampered by poor 31.6% field goal shooting (18-of-57) against their rivals' 27-of-62 attempts for 43.5%.

Quezon Coach Eric Gonzales attributed the Huskers' success to "collective effort" by the players, coaches, management and the team owners led by Quezon Gov. Helen Tan.