Games Thursday: 

(Manila gym) 

4 p.m.--San Juan vs. Quezon City

5:30 p.m. -- Las Pinas vs. Paranaque 

7 p.m. --Manila vs. Pateros

TAGUIG rode a strong second-half performance  to beat San Juan, 81-71, in the battle of debuting teams in the  Metro League basketball championships at the Hagonoy gym in Taguig.

Richard Albo, Marlon Monte and Kevin Oliveria delivered the key baskets during the Generals' decisive breakaway to the delight of a big home crowd.

Taguig scored the last four points of the third quarter and  the first 11 points of the fourth and final period to turn a close 57-56 lead into a commanding 72-56 advantage with 6:48 left.

San Juan never  recovered from there.

Albo  topscored with 19 points,  Monte had 15 points and Oliveria had 10 points and eight rebounds for Taguig, which shot better with  24 of 47 shots (51 percent) from the two-point area.

The Generals also dominated the boards with 59-40 edge in rebounds.

Sharing the limelight in the tournament organized by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and supported by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) were  MBT 24-under champion Quezon City, which humbled Las Pinas, 72-53, and Caloocan, which outclassed Marikina, 101-80.

John Mahari and Sandy Senal shared scoring honors  for Quezon City, which outscored Las  Pinas, 34-15, in the first two periods enroute to a lopsided victory.Mahari  finished with 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting, while Senal added 12 points and nine rebounds.

Kervin Lucente paced the Home Defenders with 12 points.

Caloocan rode on the game-long brilliance of  MJ Enriquez to beat Marikina and bounce back from opening-day  setback to Valenzuela.

Enriquez, who also plays for Diliman College,  exploded with 29 points on 7-of-17 shooting from the three-point range.

The Rensy Bajar-coached Supremos also drew double-digit scores from Arvin Coquia  (13 points, five steals),  Kris Torrado (11 points, 15 assists) and Reynaldo de Mesa (10 points, nine rebounds) .

A total of 10 cities  are competing in the event  which has “mobile app ng bayan” Barangay 143 as presentor, Spalding as the official ball, Team Rebel Sports as official outfitter and Synergy 88, San Miguel Corp., World Balance, Frabelle Foods, Summit Mineral Water, AlcoPlus, Gerry’s Grill, Excellent Noodles, glitter.ph, SM Supermalls and Nature’s Spring as sponsors.