THE Cebu Classic opened its campaign in the 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2025 Season with a thrilling come-from-behind 77-76 victory over Caloocan’s Batang Kankaloo on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the Pasay Cuneta Astrodome.
Limuel Tampus scored 16 points to power the Classics to the biggest reversal thus far in 30-team tournament.
Absent from the league for the past four years, the Cebuanos trailed by as many as 19 points, 46-65, but managed to drop a 20-2 bomb ignited by Tampus and homegrown talent Brylle Ivan Meca that cut down the deficit to 66-67.
Caloocan responded with two free throws from Rommel Calahat and a jumper by Jeramer Cabanag with two minutes and 56 seconds left.
However, the Classics, with 6-foot-1 Tampus scoring seven points, went on an 11-point spree to snatch the victory.
“Boss (team owner) Voltaire (Morales Ora) instructed the team to go full-court press,” said Mike Reyes, one of the assistant coaches of Cebu Classic.
Tampus, a recruit from Davao, made four rebounds and three assists during the crucial stretch and earned the Best Player award.
Rashawn McCarthy posted 14 points, eight rebounds and four steals, while homegrown Mark Meneses chipped in 12 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks, and two assists.
Meca finished with 10 points, the same as 6-foot-9 Ladis Lepalam, who snagged four rebounds.
Paul Casin led Caloocan with 14 points, while Cabanag contributed 10 points, six assists, and five rebounds. Joseph Manlangit also had 10 points for Batang Kankaloo.
Cebu Classic will face the Quezon Huskers in its next assignment on Monday, March 17.
How they fared:
Cebu Classics 77 - Tampus 16, McCarthy 14, Meneses 12, Meca 10, Lepalam 10, Martel 7, Imperial 3, Jamon 2, Holmqvist 2, Manliguez 1.
Batang Kankaloo 76 - Casin 14, Cabanag 10, Manlangit 10, Tayongtong 9, Flores 7, Calahat 7, Manday 6, Palencia 5, Bitoon 3, Espinas 3, Sumoda 2. / JBM