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BOYSEN OUTLASTS MULTILINE FOR 1ST WIN, 81-78

Exclusive by Epoy Del Rosario.

Boysen had a huge lift from ABU newcomers Roderick Zagala and Jojo Mercado, as well as crucial clutch baskets from beyond the rainbow arc by John Santiago, to stave off Multiline and claim their first win, 81-78.

Mercado was a big factor when Boysen broke away in the 1st half, going 4-of-8 from the floor, sniping from the perimeter to finish with 8 points. Boysen led at the half 44-31, behind a furious assault from Richard Ortiz, Jonathan Galano and Paolo Olan. Ortiz led Boysen with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 3 steals. Galano went for 15 points and 5 rebounds, while Olan put in 8 points, 12 rebounds and 2 steals. The biggest plays, however, came from Zagala and Santiago, who scored most of their points in the waning moments of the game, after Multiline mounted an inspired comeback to briefly take the lead and threaten to steal the game at the 4-minute mark.

Elmor Manalili, Tonton Gonzales and Jojo Ison led the blitzkrieg that brought them back into the game after falling behind by as big as 15. Manalili scored most of his 17 points in the 2nd half, also getting 3 steals and 2 assists in the process, while Ison was the sparkplug in scrapping away at the deficit to finish with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Gonzales was the steady force that kept Multiline in the game, scattering 16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. But Santiago converted on two crucial 3-point baskets in the 4th quarter to douse water on Multiline’s rally, as Zagala repeatedly got in the lane and scored thrice on Multiline’s interior, to help put his team ahead by 3 wih only 6 seconds to go.

Multiline still had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds, however, but Epoy del Rosario fumbled the desperation attempt near midcourt. He also shot an atrocious 5 of 20 from the floor to put his team in a big hole early.

Boxscores:
Boysen (81): Ortiz 26, Galano 15, Zagala 11, Olan 8, Mercado 8, Santiago 8, Tan 5
MultiLine (78): Manalili 17, Gonzales 16, Ison 13, del Rosario 12, Gaytano 8, May 4, Gomez 4, Fernando 2, Mabuhay 2