The San Mateo Spurs and the Say Chiz Smileys drew strength from big fourth quarter attacks to beat their respective rivals at the start of the 1st PGBL Willie Caballes Cup Monday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The Spurs, the PGBL pre-season champions, leaned on their pressure defense in overhauling a 16-point deficit and outlasting the Tigerscribes, 78-74, while the Smileys outgunned the Charlie’s Dy-mons in the fourth quarter to escape with a 58-48 win.

No less than Cyrus “The Skyrus” Baguio of newly crowned PBA champion Alaska Milk and the family of the late former Manila Bulletin assistant sports editor Willie Caballes, from whom this event was dedicated to, including wife Marilou graced the simple event.

Backed by San Miguel Corporation and the Philippine Sportswriters Association, the tournament will adapt a double round robin format with the top two teams disputing the title.

Eric Uy came through with an MVP performance with 33 points, seven assists, six steals and five rebounds while Malaya rookie Jerome Lagunzad came through with 25 points, 12 caroms, four assists and a steal in helping the Spurs carve out the dramatic come-from-behind win.

Big Ben Terrado came through in the absence of Julius Manicad with 13 points and 10 board while Ethan Tiu and Francis Ochoa of the Inquirer scattered 12 and 11 points, respectively, to propel Say Chiz to the early share of the lead with the Spurs.