By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno | PNA
MANILA — The Zamboanga Rapidos stunned and frustrated the Muntinlupa Cagers and its fans on the road with an 84-73 win in Game 2 of their Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) playoff series at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex on Thursday night.
The Rapidos came alive in the second quarter with a 27-point blast to open a 42-35 halftime lead.
The Cagers appeared to have bounced back in the third quarter and even reclaimed the lead, 55-54, with 1:29 to go in the period, but the Rapidos ended the quarter on a 7-1 run and eventually pulled away in the fourth before holding them off in the end.
However, emotions spilled to the stands as some fans threw bottles at the court to express their dismay.
Reed Juntilla made 26 points, eight rebounds, one assist, and three steals, while Robin Roño added 23 points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal off the bench for Zamboanga.
Harold Arboleda made up for a silent game on the scoring end with 17 rebounds and 13 assists with one steal and two blocks on top of five points.
Dhon Reverente fired 27 points with 10 rebounds, one assist, and two steals as he tried to keep Muntinlupa in the game in crunch time by his lonesome but to no avail.
Game 3 is set at the Batangas City Sports Center on Monday night.
