FINALLY, a win for the Caloocan Supremos-Longrich.
After four months and a five-game losing skid bridging from last season, the Supremos were able to notch their first win — only the second in franchise history and the first at home, dealing the Pasig Pirates-Gameville a 91-81 beating in the MPBL Datu Cup.
Led by mainstay Mar Villahermosa, the Supremos drew double-digit output from six players to give Mayor Oscar Malapitan a fitting birthday gift.
Batangas City showed up with a depleted lineup in the first game, but still managed to find a way to win over Quezon City, 95-90.
The inaugural staging champions Athletics, supported by Tanduay, played without key players Val Acuña, Jhaymo Eguilos and Mon Rogado and used an ailing Lester Alvarez, who is still coming off a bout with a flu, yet Batangas City showed its poise led by new recruit, ex-PBA player Bong Galanza.
Mr. Galanza tallied 28 points on a steady five-of-seven shooting from beyond the arc.
Mr. Villahermosa, the team’s resident star, finished with 18 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Ex-pro Jopher Custodio and Cedric Labing-isa added 13 points apiece while Joseph Nalos contributed 12. New prized recruits JR Cawaling and Paul Sanga chipped in 11 apiece as the Supremos completed a come from behind victory.
The Supremos had to climb back from 14 points down, 42-56, in the early part of the third period.
Caloocan rallied and engaged Pasig in a nip-and-tuck encounter in the last five minutes before the Supremos came through with 13 unanswered points to put away the Pirates.
Mr. Sanga, who was struggling all game long, hit back-to-back treys that triggered the Supremos late-game pull away.
“One thing that has been missing in this team last season was the identity. We need the identity of a fighting team, which never gives up until the final buzzer,” said Mr. Sanga, who along with longtime teammate Cawaling, had to return to the Philippines after a stint in Thailand to represent Caloocan. — Rey Joble
