The Batangas City Athletics and the Makati Skyscrapers bested their respective rivals to keep their semis bids alive in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup Thursday at the Batangas City Coliseum.
The Athletics rolled to their third straight victory with an 85-78 triumph over the San Juan Knights while the Skyscrapers outplayed the Bulacan Kuyas, 99-94.
The loss was the third straight for the Mighty Sports of Caesar Angelo Wongchuking-backed Kuyas and fifth overall in 13 games.
Jeff Viernes tallied 21 points, five rebounds and four assists even as Kier Quinto added 16 points for the Athletics, who notched their seventh win against six losses to tie the Parañaque Patriots.
Jhaymo Eguilos contributed 10 points and 10 boards.
The Skyscrapers, meanwhile, turned to Jerick Cañada, Jason Melano and Jovit Dela Cruz to clinch their eighth win in 12 outings. (Kristel Satumbaga)
