By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The Manila Stars pounced on the Pasay Voyagers’ listless performance for a breezy 115-85 victory on Wednesday and seized the solo lead in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at the San Andres Sports Complex.
It was a historic feat for the Stars, who recorded the most number of points in the league en route to their sixth win in seven outings.
Forward Reil Cervantes spearheaded the Stars with 22 points that included six triples, while Adrian Celada and Aristotle Dionisio added 20 and 16 points in a another show of force.
After leading the opening quarter by only a point, 20-19, the Stars zoomed to a 55-33 halftime advantage behind brilliant transition plays and never looked back.
In all, the Stars shot 43-of-77 on the field, including 15 treys, while dishing off 28 assists and making 12 steals.
The Voyagers’ failure to put up a solid defense weighed heavily to their fifth defeat in seven games.
In the other game, the Marikina Shoemasters downed the Navotas Clutch, 80-76, to forge a five-way tie for 4-3.
Erwin Sta. Maria led the Shoemasters with 21 points and seven boards, while Ronald Roy and Renato Ular chipped in combined 31 points.
The Clutch slipped to 3-4.
