There’s a new emerging power in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League and signifying strong intentions of mixing it up with the top dogs this season.
Ilagan Isabela, a team which cracked the playoffs of the MPBL just in its maiden season last year, is proving to all and sundry that it’s more serious in its title aspirations in the league’s Eight Season and the Cowboys let their game do the talking for five straight games when they disposed of their opponents.
They’ve added the Batang Quiapo of Manila to their growing list of victims, whipping them, 99-91, to improve their win-loss record to 5-1.
Arth Dela Cruz, playing injured in the crucial stretch of last season’s campaign but back in harness to play with a chip on his shoulder this season, chalked up his usual double-double production. Against the Batang Quiapo, he pumped in 17 points and 15 rebounds for his sixth straight double-double showing.
Dela Cruz drew solid support from the rest of the team, most notably Isabelinos Donald Gumaru (14), and Allen Mina (12), Kyle Paranada (12), and new recruits Prince Rivero and Joseph Gabayni with 10 points apiece.
Gabayni also capped his solid game with 12 collected rebounds.
The Cowboys ruled the boards, 56-24, and converted this to more second-chance points, 29-5, and points in the paint, 46-36.
San Juan is another team that is starting to get notice and on the heels of halting defending champion Abra’s 38-game winning streak, the Knights continued their scintillating performance this season with an 80-73 triumph over Zamboanga to improve their record to 4-1.
Gensan edged Valenzuela, 83-79.
