By Kristel Satumbaga
The Muntinlupa Cagers snapped a three-game skid while the Manila Stars posted a third straight win Thursday in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex.
The Cagers pulled away in the last 1:02 of the overtime period to defeat the Pasig Pirates, 98-92, while the Stars squeaked past the Marikina Shoemasters, 91-89.
Chito Jaime, Felix Apreku, and Ryusei Koga joined forces for Muntinlupa in outscoring Pasig, 8-2, in the pivotal minute to improve to 13-9 and gain solo second in the South Division.
The trio finished with combined 33 points.
Pasig plummeted to a fifth consecutive loss to sink deeper in the North Division cellar with 3-19 despite Francis Camacho leading the squad with 22 points and seven rebounds.
Marvin Hayes and Christopher Bitoon, meanwhile, merged for 38 points and 19 rebounds to steer Manila to 19-4 for solo second in the North Division, just two games behind pacesetter Bataan Risers.
Ryan Costelo and Renato Ular scored 26 and 16 points in losing efforts for Marikina, which dropped to 7-14 in the South Division.
