Pasig MCW Sports employed a sleek running game to rout Rizal Xentromall, 82-64, in the OKBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League late Friday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
With Kenny Roger Rocacurva and Ryan Paule Costelo spearheading the attack, Pasig pulled away, 63-40, to seal its first win in this 29-team league.
Rocacurva, a former Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcat from Camotes Islands, sparkled with 23 points, five rebounds, two steals and one assist to earn Best Player honors in his maiden appearance for Pasig.
The pint-sized Costelo complemented Rocacurva with 19 points, five assists, three steals and one block as they hounded the Golden Coolers, who absorbed their second straight defeat.
The prolific duo also struck from afar with Costelo drilling in 5 of 7 triple tries and Rocacurva making 4 of 6 attempts as Pasig posted an impressive 52 percent from long range.
Pasig was also efficient from the free throw line, missing just one of eight opportunities for 87.5 percent.
John Felix Corpuz and Jeric James Pido also did their share for Pasig with eight and seven points, respectively.
While Rocacurva and Costelo took charge of offense, Jason Ballesteros and Lander Canon controlled the boards for Pasig, 56-42.
No longer hobbled by injuries, Ballesteros grabbed 12 rebounds while Canon snagged 10.
Rizal, meanwhile, drew 11 points from Troy Mallillin and 10 from Alvin John Capobres.
Earlier, Bulacan trounced Iloilo, 85-76, to seize the top spot with back-to-back wins.
The Bulacan Kuyas drew 21 points and 15 rebounds from Jeric Nacpil and 18 points from Kentoy Segura.
Laguna thwarted Quezon City Gaz N Go, 102-94, in the opener behind Paolo Pontejos’ 24 points and Nino Ibanez’s 20-point, 10-rebound effort.