Q. Arena, Fairview, Philippines -- It was a rainy night afternoon but that didn't deter more than 15 thousand fans to flock the Q. in what would be a thrilling down-to-the wire game between the Dahlia Mavericks and Memongs. Dahlia Mavericks, coming from a crushing defeat against Zennings, vowed to come out stronger in this game than their last outing threatening Memongs bid at the top to start their respective PPL campaign.

During the first quarter, the Mavs roared and scored 29 points compared to Memongs 22. They were leading at the half (60-54) until the tide favored Memongs in the latter part of the fourth.

For almost 10 minutes, the Mavs and Memongs exchanged baskets back and forth. With 2:41 left, Memongs Nicolas Lopez-Jaena hit a jumper (his 5th in a row) that gives Memongs a two-point lead, 113-111. The Mavs weren't able to convert a basket in more than a minute until Santos Verano hits a layup with 1:09 left that makes it 116-113 in favor of Memongs.

In the ensuing possession, Jaena wasn't done as he hit a crucial three from the wing to make it 119-113 that forced the Mavs to call a full timeout. After the timeout, it was a nicely done play as Capuyan converts a pass from Verano to make it 119-115.

National Team player Pete Montallana calmly hits the free throw to make it 121-115 - it was a free throw contest by then for Memongs. AJ Magoncia attempted back-to-back three pointers to no avail. He was also charged with an offensive foul that seals the win for Memongs.

"I thought our guys did a pretty decent job up to the last minute," GM Nicolo Maro said. "the night is crying as Magoncia had a bad night hitting just 4-18 FG's, 1-7 in 3pts."

Lopez-Jaena led the visitors with 29 points in 11-16 shooting. He was ably supported by NT player Pete Montallana (28 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists) while being aggressive in the lane hitting 11-12 from the line. Rotem Blum had a double-double with 22 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks while Jan Belesic was efficient with 20 points and 8 assists in 9-15 shooting.

Edralin Chiong scored 13 points in 10 minutes while Chinese center Qian Chaoxiong grabbed 18 boards.

"We know that the Mavericks didn't want to lose this one so we came out aggressive," Don Manoah said. "the fourth-quarter was outstanding and I couldn't be happier with our guys."

What's left of the 33-year old Ananias Capuyan, he layed it in this game as he scored a game high 37 points with 5 rebounds and 4 assists in 15-21 shooting with no turnovers. He was even cited by counterpart Jaena and Montallana in his gutsy play but it wasn't enough to lead the Mavs with a W.

Fillmore Sabangan chipped in with 22 points while Apolonio Sepulveda had a double-double with 20 points and 10 boards. Scott Famaran had a dubious night as he was supposed to be the most effective player scoring 9 points and 6 rebounds but was fouled out in only 15 minutes of play.

The team was most critical with AJ Magoncia as he miss shots after shots. was it just a bad night or the team is looking for that elite guard to put them over the top?

On a night like this, the players weren't available for comment but it was evident that they were frustrated with the 22% shooting of their 'shooting' guard. It didn't help that the refs gave more free throws attempt to Memongs 42 (making 31) compared to Mavs 20 (hitting 15).

Next game: Dahlia Mavericks at Celestial Wrath. Surely JSmoove will bounce back from a humiliating defeat against Arcanix Men. How will the Mavs react against them coming from a tiring loss as well?

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Instant classic: Memongs stays atop defeats Dahlia Mavericks 126-115