Playboy caught a big fish in Zhaila's All Starz, eking out a 74-65 victory in the second game in the DLX/Gualo Rai Invitational Basketball League last Friday night at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.
The loss was Zhaila's first in six games and though it remains on top of Pool A, Brgy. San Antonio is likely to force a tie for the lead, as the latter was ahead of its rained-out game against Mawati last Saturday night.
The win was only Playboy's second and although it was an upset, the squad will need a major shakeup in the team standings to make it to the playoffs. Playboy has a 2-3 record, sharing the No. 6 spot with Wushin Express. Only the Top 4 teams will advance to the next round.
Bart Demapan exploded for 38 points in Playboy's win. He was on target right in the first quarter, scoring 10 points to keep Playboy afloat, 19-22. Brian Ajoste traded baskets with Demapan and fired 11 markers to put Zhaila's in the lead.
Demapan added eight more, while Ajoste was held to one field goal, as Playboy moved within a hair at the break, 35-36.
The Playboy forward continued to muscle his way against Zhaila's defenders in the second half, drilling 8 more points. By the end of the third, Playboy manage to steal the lead, 57-52, as Ajoste was limited to another one field goal performance.
Demapan saved the best for last, sizzling for 13 markers to complete Playboy's upset.
In the first game, QQ Rent A Car gave up only 8 points to Looban in the second period to coast to the easy win.
QQ was on top by only 4 points at the end of the opening canto, 20-16, when Looban was held to four field goals in the second frame, allowing the former to post a 39-24 halftime lead. QQ protected the double-digit lead in the third and until midway of the fourth before Looban tried to mount a comeback, but failed.
Marlon Sison has 17 points for QQ, which is still in playoff contention, as it has a 3-3 record for a tie for fourth place with Church 360 in Pool B. Looban dropped to a 3-4 card and must win its last game and pray that neither QQ or Church 360 get win No. 4 to have a chance in the playoffs.
First Game
QQ Rent A Car 74 - Sison 17, Mangali 15, Concepcion 10, Tuwon 9, Lansang 7, Bondoc 3.
Looban 66 - De Leon 23, De Guzman 13, Montano 10, Dayrit 9, Loste 5, Quiambao 2.
Scoring by quarters: 20-16, 39-24, 56-41, 74-66.
Second Game
Playboy 74 - Demapan 38, Feria 10, Barrios 6, Gonzales 6, Palacios 5, Hockett 2, Mejia 2, Isip 2.
Zhaila's All Starz 65 - Ajoste 24, Chan 17, Hernandez 6, Ja. Bahillo 5, Tudela 4, Lansang 3, Mostales 2.
Scoring by quarters: 19-22, 35-36, 57-51, 74-65.
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