By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno | PNA
MANILA — Allan Mangahas broke the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) record for the most assists in a single game as the Muntinlupa Cagers zapped the Zamboanga Rapidos, 89-78, in Game 1 of their best-of-three first round series at the Batangas City Sports Center on Tuesday night.
Despite only making one point in 25 and a half minutes off the bench, Mangahas dropped 17 dimes, shattering the previous record set by former Mandaluyong El Tigre star and current Alab Pilipinas player Ray-Ray Parks and was matched by the Valenzuela Classic’s Mikee Reyes at 15, as the third-seeded Cagers were efficient on both ends of the court.
Muntinlupa held Zamboanga to just 13 points in the first quarter and began blasting off offensively in the second with a 26-point output to set up the blowout.
Ryusei Koga went for 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including 5-for-9 from the three-point range with three rebounds and two assists for the Cagers, who can sweep their series against the Rapidos on Thursday night as they face off anew at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex.
Robin Roño made 22 markers, eight boards, and three dimes for Zamboanga.
