MPBL week 2: Parks sets league record, Cardona restarts with San Juan

MANILA, Philippines – The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) rolled along without a hitch in its second week, and here are the things you may have missed in the 8-game roll.

Player of the Week: Christopher “Oping” Sumalinog

Week Performance: 22 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal

After helping out Alab Pilipinas clinch the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) championship, Oping Sumalinog landed with the Bacoor Strikers and immediately made an impact.

He dropped a team-high 22 points with 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, and a steal, including a game-sealing two-pointer in a narrow 76-71 win against the scrappy Cebu City Sharks on June 21.

Not to be outdone, his fellow Alab teammate Bobby Ray Parks Jr put on a show two days later.

Parks drops league-record 15 assists

After a messy opening day loss against the Rajah Cup runner-up Muntinlupa Cagers, two-time reigning ABL local MVP Bobby Ray Parks Jr unleashed his inner point guard in Mandaluyong El Tigre’s maiden win, 71-61, against the Zamboanga Valientes.

The 6-foot-4 star recorded an MPBL league record 15 assists to go along with 13 points for the emphatic double-double.

Former De La Salle University (DLSU) rotation man Prince Rivero was the primary beneficiary of Parks’ giving mood, netting a game-high 18 points, including 4 straight unanswered buckets in the 3rd quarter.

After sounding off on the league after the opener, Parks was more reserved this time around, both on and off the court.

Compared to 4 offensive fouls and 6 turnovers in the Munti loss, Parks only had a single turnover and no fouls to boot.

 

Cardona returns to basketball for San Juan

In other news, “Captain Hook” Mac Cardona made his return to the hardwood after a year of absence due to a number of personal issues.

In just 14 minutes, the former DLSU standout chipped in 9 points and 3 boards with one triple in the San Juan Knights’ 93-70 win over the hometown Pampanga Lanterns on June 20.

“As long as I can play, I’m gonna continue to play,” said the 37-year-old in a post-game interview. “Outside basketball, I cannot control [those things]. What I can control is the MPBL, so I’m happy that I’m here and playing again.”

Week 2 Results: June 19-25

June 19 at Baliwag Star Arena, Bulacan

• Makati Skyscrapers def. Basilan Steel, 77-65
• Bulacan Kuyas def. Rizal Crusaders, 80-61 

June 20 at Angeles University Foundation Gymnasium, Pampanga

• Parañaque Patriots def. Valenzuela Classic, 76-73
• San Juan Knights def. Pampanga Lanterns, 93-70 

June 21 at Muntinlupa Sports Complex

• Bacoor Strikers def. Cebu City Sharks, 76-71
• Muntinlupa Cagers def. Marikina Shoemasters, 85-76

June 23 at Imus City Sports Complex, Cavite

• Mandaluyong El Tigre def. Zamboanga Valientes, 71-61
• General Santos Warriors def. Imus Bandera, 79-73

Standings

1. Muntinlupa Cagers 2-0
2. Davao Occidental Tigers 2-0
3. Navotas Clutch 2-0
4. Bacoor Strikers 1-0
5. Bulacan Kuyas 1-0
6. Makati Skyscrapers 1-0
7. Manila Stars 1-0
8. Parañaque Patriots 1-0
9. San Juan Knights 1-0
10. Bataan Risers 1-1
11. Batangas City Athletics 1-1
12. Caloocan Supremos 1-1
13. General Santos Warriors 1-1
14. Laguna Heroes 1-1
15. Mandaluyong El Tigre 1-1
16. Marikina Shoemasters 1-1
17. Zamboanga Valientes 1-1
18. Basilan Steel 0-1
19. Cebu City Sharks 0-1
20. Pampanga Lanterns 0-1
21. Pasay Voyagers 0-1
22. Rizal Crusaders 0-1
23. Valenzuela Classic 0-1
24. Imus Bandera 0-2
25. Pasig Pirates 0-2
26. Quezon City Capitals 0-2

– Rappler.com