TAGUIG – Patrick Cabahug returned with a vengeance Saturday to lead the Misamis Oriental Meteors to a 76-68 upset of the Taguig Batang Global that leveled at one game apiece their Smart-Liga Pilipinas best-of-five semifinal series at the C.P. Tinga gym here.
The playoffs now move to the Meteors’ homecourt at Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro for Games 3 and 4, with Misamis Oriental looking to clinch a finals berth in front of its followers.
A fifth and deciding game will be played at the C.P. Tinga gym, if necessary.
Cabahug, nephew of PBA great Elmer Cabahug, exploded for 25 points, including 7 of 8 from the free throw line, as the Meteors broke away from a tight first quarter by outscoring the Batang Global, 21-13.
The first half saw four deadlocks and six lead changes.
Taguig took the series opener, 92-77, but failed to produce the same intensity in Game 2, surrendering homecourt advantage to the revved-up Meteors, who were clearly inspired by the return of Cabahug.
Indisposed last Friday, Cabahug shot 8 of 18 from inside the three-point arc, had two rebounds, four assists and three steals. Ruel Hugnatan grabbed nine rebounds for Misamis Oriental, which picked up 18 points from 19 Taguig turnovers.
Four Taguig players were in double figures, but Ronnie Matias, who had 22 points in the opener, was held down to 13, while point guard Lou Gatumbato just had five points after scoring 17 in the first game.
Nino Marquez and Boyet Bautista each had 14 points for the Batang Global.
The Scores:
MISAMIS ORIENTAL 76 – Cabahug 26, Caputolan 12, Hugnatan 8, Paterno 7, Echavez 6, Concha 4, Tagupa 3, Grijaldo 2, Moreno 2, Franco 2, Nailon 2, Pupos 2.
TAGUIG 68 – Marquez 14, Bautista 14, Matias 13, Ortiguerra 12, Reguerra 5, Gatumbato 5, Aldave 2, Latoreno 2, Rodriguez 1, Bombeo 0.
Quarters: 19-18, 40-31, 55-53, 76-68.
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