Gerald Anderson returns to home General Santos, faces Xian Lim in MPBL match

“Abangan mamaya, salpukan ng Mandaluyong El Tigre-DataLand at Marikina Shoemasters. MPBL na!
Live in ABS-CBN Sports+Action @ 7PM!” (Photo: @officialmpbl/Instagram)

Kapamilya actor Gerald Anderson returns to his home province General Santos, but this time representing Marikina at the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) match that happened last Saturday, December 15, where he aided the Shoemasters in reigning victorious against the team of fellow actor Xian Lim, the Mandaluyong El Tigre-Dataland.

The first quarter saw positive signs for Marikina, as they limited their opponents only eight points in ten minutes. However, El Tigre performed during the second quarter, entering half time at a 30-28 advantage. Marikina fired back with 27 points in the next period, finishing the third at 55-46, then maintained that lead.

This was the first time the Shoemasters received a back-to-back win as the score finished at 76-62. Anderson felt the love during his homecoming at the Lagao Gym, contributing nine points, six rebounds, and two assists for his team. At the last few seconds of the fourth quarter, he contributed a three-pointer.

Teammate JR Ng Sang led the way with 17 points and nine rebounds. Also performing with double digits for Marikina are Ryan Costelo, Ronald Roy, and Yves Sazon who provided 15, 14, and 13 points respectively. Ex-pro Jondan Salvador didn’t score any points but crashed the boards at 15 rebounds. In the meantime, El Tigre’s Gian Abrigo tried to give his team an 8th win with 16 points, 11 rebounds, one assist, one steal, and two blocks, but it was not enough for Team Mandaluyong to catch up to their opponents.

The Marikina Shoemasters are now currently standing at 10th/11th in the Southern Division of the league as they have the same 6-10 win-loss record as the Zamboanga Valientes.

Meanwhile, on the same day, the two games proved to be a double-header as the GenSan Warriors played in front of their home crowd against the Navotas Clutch, home court advantage proving to be of effect as they won at 80-73. Homegrown player Leomar Losentes fed off the energy and finished with 19 points (5/10 shooting from the arc), one rebound, and two steals, pushing his team into a sixth-place standing in the Southern Division at eight wins and ninelossess.

The next MPBL matches are in Rizal Memorial College in Davao City, first game with the Cebu City Sharks facing the Caloocan Supremos and the second game with the San Juan Knights trying to defeat the Davao Occidental Tigers on their home court.