By Kristel Satumbaga
Navotas Clutch and General Santos Warriors overwhelmed separate foes on Wednesday to strengthen their title bids in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at the Navotas Sports Complex.
The Clutch pulled away from a 16-all first-quarter tie in besting the Basilan Steel, 102-97, while the Warriors outplayed the Zamboanga-Family’s Brand Sardines, 78-69.
Jai Reyes finished with 21 points and six assists while Marlon whipped up 16 points and 13 boards for the Clutch, who clinched their second straight win to improve to 10-11 at sixth place in the North Division.
Jerald Bautista had 22 points, and Jercules Tangkay and Mark Anthony Acosta added 16 points each but their efforts weren’t enough for the Steel, who absorbed their third consecutive loss to slip at 6-15.
GenSan, meanwhile, leaned on the hot hands of John Orbeta, Delmar Mahiling and Cristopher Masaglang to hike its tally to 11-9.
It was the Warriors’ fourth straight triumph, putting them at No. 4 in the South Division.
Zamboanga skidded to 8-12 despite Harold Miguel Arboleda and Allan Santos combining for 26 points and 25 rebounds.
