THERE’S no buzzer-beater this time. No late-game heroics or come-from-behind victory.

Pasig MCW Sports made sure it will be a lucky Friday, the 13th for them.

Led by the 1-2 punch of Robbie Manalang and Kenny Roger Rocacurva, Pasig brought down Caloocan, 65-61, in Game 2 of their best-of-three quarterfinal showdown in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Season 5 at the Caloocan City Sports Complex.

Manalang topscored with 23 points, including 4-of-7 from the three-point area, in 37 minutes while Rocacurva added 16 points, 12 of them in the third quarter, eight rebounds and three steals as Pasig avenged a heartbreaking 69-71 setback to Caloocan in the opener last Oct. 6 and forged a deciding Game 3 on Oct. 20.

Ryan Costelo and Tyron Chan added eight and six points, respectively.

The winner of the Pasig-Caloocan quarterfinal match will earn the right to meet top seed Pampanga Lanterns in the semis.

Pampanga made short work of No. 8 Marikina Shoemasters, 81-61, to complete a two-game sweep and become the first team to clinch a semifinal s berth.

Both Pasig team owner Buddy Encarnado and coach Boyet Fernandez lauded the players’ focus and determination despite playing infront of a loud pro-Caloocan crowd.

“Before the game, I told the boys that our backs are against the wall since they (Caloocan) have the momentum after winning the opener. They are also taller and a much-experienced team. Most of all, they have the home court advantage,” explained Encarnado.

“But as I reminded the boys that the key in overcoming our disadvantage is to play with poise. If you play with poise, you can easily overcome the pressure and that your true form will eventually come out. Luckily, the boys heeded my call and responded the way they played in front of a another big crowd, 99 percent of whom are from Caloocan,” added Encarnado.

Fernandez, a multi-ttiled coach in both the PBA D-League and NCAA, also had nothing but good words for his players.

“Unang-una, nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos na binigyan kami ng isa pang pagkakataon na lumaban sa third game. But I’d also like to thank my players for this win. They never gave up. They really believed in our system and did not give up even though we’re down one game against Caloocan,” said Fernandez, who is best remembered for piloting Sta.Lucia Realty to the 2007 PBA Philippine Cup championship.

“A win is a win for us and we’re really happy that we got this one and I really appreciate the efforts of my players. Hopefully, we can win again in Game 3 on Friday against Caloocan,” he added
Trailing 56-58 with slightly over four minutes remaining on the clock, Pasig City went to Manalang, who nailed a crucial three-pointer with 3:20 left.

Manalang’s triple enabled Pasig unleash a game-changing scoring run that gave it a 64-58 lead with only 27.5 seconds left in the game.

And although Reil Cervantes hit a triple of his own to put the Batang Kankaloo within 61-64 with still 16.9 seconds left, Tonton Peralta sealed the win by hitting one of two free throws.

Paul Sanga scattered 12 points and Ronnie Matias and Gabby Espinas contributed 10 points each in a losing effort for the Batang Kankaloo

The scores:

Pasig (65) – Manalang 23, Rocacurva 16, Costelo 8, Chan 6, Peralta 4, Maestre 3, Bolano 3, Baetiong 2, Ballesteros 0, Nimes 0, Lorenzo 0, Canon 0.
Caloocan (61) – Sanga 12, Espinas 10, Matias 10, Baracael 9, Palencia 6, Cervantes 5, Tayongtong 3, Cabanag 2, Inigo 2, Galicia 2, Laude 0, Casin 0, Bonsubre 0.
Quarterscores: 16-11, 27-29, 46-45, 65-61.