Zamboanga displayed its new, deadly form late Saturday night by edging host team Bulacan, 75-72, in the MPBL Datu Cup at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium.
New recruit Robin Roño provided the instant firepower the Family’s Brand Sardines-backed squad needed, while several pickups like Harold Arboleda and Allan Santos instilled toughness up front, allowing Zamboanga to show a lot of promise ahead of the playoffs.
Roño finished with 24 points to lead Zamboanga.
Von Lanete, one of the few holdovers of the retooled squad that unloaded 11 players prior to the massive acquisitions, added 14 markers.
With its latest win, Zamboanga was able to snap a three-game losing skid. It improved its win-loss record to 7-10.
Arboleda, one of the few acquired players from Parañaque, pulled down nine rebounds on top of eight points, while Santos, released by Laguna, but was picked up by Zamboanga just recently, also added eight markers, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked five shots. These two frontliners proved they are a welcome addition to the team.
In the first game, Caloocan turned to ex-pros Almond Vosotros and Paul Sanga in outlasting Valenzuela, 90-87.
Vosotros came away with 33 points, but it was the additional firepower provided by Sanga that gave the Supremos the much-needed lift in pulling off their sixth win in 18 games.
Sanga, who played briefly for Kia in the PBA, added 21 points highlighted by five three-point shots.
The Longrich-supported Supremos, however, have a lot of catching up to do as they are still in 12th place in the northern division.