Jonathan Manalili of Letran in action.
Pampanga moves on verge of Luzon sweep
PAMPANGA Pradera Theme Park moved on the verge of completing an 11-game sweep of the 2023 Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League 18-Under Luzon Leg after taking an 85-72 victory over Quezon in the best-of-three finals on Sunday at San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.
Meanwhile, Farm Fresh-Letran flexed its might on EZ Jersey-Doc Boleros, 93-77, to also move to just one win away from ruling the National Capital Region.
Pampanga and the Milkers can clinch their respective places in the national finals of this tournament co-presented by SCD and Dumper party-list and supported by J Project Clothings, MDC, Bluesky Advertising, NET 25, Wcube Solutions Inc., Hotel SOGO, and Converge on Tuesday at Ynares Sports Arena with the NCR Leg Game 2 tipping off at 3:00 p.m.
Already in the nationals, which will begin on July 15 in Pampanga, are Mindanao champions Cagayan de Oro Higalas B and Max Ballers Davao and Visayas survivor Sherilin Khalifa City of Naga.
Elijah Yusi and Veejay Pre joined hands for Pampanga in the victory, dropping 22 points each with Pre also grabbing 11 boards.
Ethan Alian, a commit of De La Salle University, scored 13 points off the bench while Jolo Navarro hauled down 10 boards to go with eight points.
…Farm Fresh-Letran, meanwhile, was led by the 19 points of floor general Jonathan Manalili.
George Diamante, who only played 15 minutes for the Milkers, added seven points and nine rebounds.
Simplicio Adame paced Quezon with 20 points and 10 rebounds while College of Saint Benilde-commit Mowell Morales got 16 points and six boards.
Turnovers though plagued Quezon in the entire contest, committing 19 errors that led to 23 Pampanga points.
Mark De Leon was the sole bright spot for Doc Boleros, finishing with 23 points.
