By Jerome Lagunzad
Games Tomorrow
(Caloocan Sports Complex)
7 p.m. – Batangas City vs Valenzuela
9 p.m. – Caloocan vs San Juan
Mandaluyong City and host Bataan carved out similar hard-earned victories on Wednesday night to sustain their red-hot forms in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Anta Datu Cup at the People’s Center in Balanga City.
Reigning back-to-back ABL Local MVP winner Ray Parks finished with 19 points, including the go-ahead bucket with 37 seconds left, as the El Tigre held off the Navotas Clutch, 59-55, for their third straight victory in four tries.
Forward Gian Abrigo provided the needed intensity with a game-high 13 rebounds, five of them coming on the offensive end, on top of 10 points while big man JR Alabanza added eight points and three blocks off the bench to help Mandaluyong City’s cause.
Not to be outdone were the Risers, who flexed enough muscles to stave off the upset-conscious General Santos City Warriors, 62-58.
Veteran guard Pamboy Raymundo overcame an error-prone showing with 12 points, five assists and four rebounds while center Jeepy Faundo added nine points and four rebounds as Bataan racked up its second straight victory at home and third overall to gain a share of the second spot with Mandaluyong City in the North Division.
Despite the victory, Raymundo was far from pleased since the Risers turned the ball over 28 times, 12 more than their rivals, that allowed the Warriors to stay in the thick of the fight despite missing the services of top guard Leomar Losentes.
“We still have a lot to work on, especially on the defensive end,” Raymundo admitted. “Our familiarity with one another has been keeping us afloat so far. But nobody can really tell if we’re going to be this lucky for the entirety of the tourney.”
Michole Sorela came up with 11 points while Rey Publico added nine points and seven rebounds for the Clutch, who absorbed their second straight loss for an even 2-2 mark but not after giving the El Tigre a big scare down the stretch.
