Defending champion Muntinlupa lashed out with fury at the start of the Inter-City phase of the 2nd Coca-Cola Hoopla National Capital Region Championship, brushing aside Parañaque’s home-court advantage, 98-71, on a stormy Monday night at Area 1.

But the big story was a 50-foot “prayer” heaved by Russell Maybituin from the backcourt to lift Binangonan to an 81-80 overtime thriller over Taytay, igniting pandemonium among the 5,000-strong Binangonan crowd led by Mayor Cecilio ‘Boyet’ Ynares.

Karl Salvador had 18 points and Kevin Buenaflor added 15 as Muntinlupa took control early, roaring to a 40-27 advantage at the half and 66-48 entering the fourth quarter.

Out at the Navotas Sports Complex, Jake Pong Dayao unloaded 23 points to power the home team, inspired by the presence of Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco, past Caloocan, 91-77, in a game marked by furious fast breaks and crippling full-court presses.

Caloocan trailed, 69-62, with 5:20 remaining but went on an 8-0 spurt to seize the lead, 70-69. Urged on by the chanting crowd, however, Navotas came back with a 22-7 finishing run to break the game open.

In Quezon City, Jon Bukirin and Alvin de Leon each had 20 points to key Quezon City’s 129-88 shellacking of Pateros, while Charlie Bolano erupted for 38 points and Arvin Tolentino added 20 as Pasig stunned Marikina and its followers, 105-101.

Other matches saw Malabon, with Elvin Chan exploding for 47 points, rally from 11 points down in the first quarter to beat Valenzuela, 90-76, in Malabon; Pasay, with Pascual Aquino and Louie Lidardo combining for 43 points, trip Las Piñas at the Pasay Sports Complex; and Mandaluyong shock Makati in overtime, 97-95, as Rafael Rebugio topscored with 28 points and Lenmark Cerbito added 19.