BALANGA, BATAAN — Caloocan survived a grueling battle with host Bataan in a match between two winless teams late Tuesday night in the MPBL-Anta Rajah Cup at the People’s Center Capitol Gymnasium here.
The visiting Supremos, backed by Longrich, outlasted the BaiShipping-supported Defenders, 76-69, to finally break into the win column after four games.
Mar Villahermosa, a veteran PBA D-League campaigner, delivered a backbreaking triple in the closing minutes of the game and the rest of the Supremos were able to hang on to pick up their first victory after losing several heartbreaking matches.
The Supremos were able to do that despite missing the services of head coach John Kallos, who was suspended for a game after his outburst in his team’s previous game against the Muntinlupa Cagers-Angelis Resort.
Muntinlupa edged preseason champion Bulacan Kuyas-Ligo Sardines, 75-71, in the other game for the Cagers’ third victory in a row.
The packed venue went into a deafening roar as Gary David, who wriggled free from his defender, scored on a lay up plus a foul from Allan Enriquez. The multiple scoring champion in the PBA completed a three-point play to give the Defenders a 68-67 with 2:47 left in the game.
But the celebration went too early for the Bataan folks and their new found heroes as Don Ochea, Villahermosa and company spoiled the fun.
Ochea came through with a quick basket and after an unproductive thrust by Bataan, Villahermosa knocked in a cold-blooded trey to push Caloocan’s lead to four, 72-68, with 1:44 to go.
Villahermosa led the way for Caloocan, finishing with 14 points, eight assists and three steals.
“We’re like the big brothers in this team, so I have no doubts delivering down the stretch,” said Villahermosa. “We learned from the three games that we’ve lost.”
But Villahermosa’s endgame heroics wasn’t the only reason for Caloocan’s win, it was also the team’s game plan of shackling down David.
David, who was averaging close to 25 points per game in the first three games, was held to his lowest output in the tournament as he finished with only 10. — Rey Joble
