Espinas shines as Caloocan downs Pasig

GABBY Espinas sank the game-winner as Caloocan outlasted Pasig MCW Sports, 71-69, at the Bren Guiao Convention Center on Friday, October 6, to move on the cusp of a semifinals berth in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League North Division.

Caloocan’s Gabby Espinas (right) maneuvers in the paint against Pasig’s Jason Ballesteros in Game 1 of the MPBL 2023 Season quarterfinals at the Bren Guiao Center on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. MPBL PHOTO 

Espinas drilled the go-ahead jumper with 0.7 seconds left, and Ryan Costelo missed his trey on the other end as Batang Kankaloo held on the Game 1 win in the best-of-three quarterfinals series.

It was a back-and-forth contest between two teams but Pasig managed to take the lead, 69-67, following a split from the charity line by Costelo.

Espinas tied the count at 69 in the last 1:12, and Pasig got a huge break when Caloocan was called for a technical foul for improper bench decorum and Robbien Manalang got fouled in the act of shooting.

However, Costelo missed his technical free throw and so did Manalang with his two regular free throws with 50 seconds to go, ultimately setting up Espinas’ heroics.

Espinas finished with 13 points and four rebounds while fellow ex-PBA player Reil Cervantes punched in 16 points and three assists.

Jeramer Cabanag added 12 points and three boards for the Batang Kankaloo, who can finish the series next Friday, October 13, at its home turf Caloocan City Sports Complex.

Kenny Rocacurva paced Pasig with 15 points, five rebounds and three assists while Manalang notched 17 markers and three boards. Josan Nimes put up 12 points and eight rebounds as Costelo dropped 12 points, six rebounds and five assists.