By Kristel Satumbaga
Bataan continued its rampage while Valenzuela bolstered its playoff bid Wednesday in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at the Valenzuela Astrodome.
The Bataan Risers pulverized the Mandaluyong El Tigre, 109-65, to stretch their winning streak to six games while the Classic toppled the Mighty Sports-backed Bulacan Kuyas, 84-75, to tie with the Caloocan Supremos at ninth place.
Five dribblers scored in double figures for the Risers with Gab Dagangon and Richard Escoto firing 15 points apiece, and the trio of John Raymundo, John Byron Villarias and Arvie Bringas adding 12 points each.
Bataan, which sizzled behind the arc with 11 triples, cemented its hold of the top spot in the North Division after clinching its 20th win in 22 outings.
The 44-point beat down tied the most lopsided win in MPBL history.
Mandaluyong, for its part, absorbed its second straight loss for 8-14.
Chris de Chavez, meanwhile, pumped in five treys to spearhead Valenzuela with 17 points.
Hans Thiele drained 16 points and Paolo Hubalde dished off 13 assists on top of seven rebounds and six points as the Classic improved to 9-14.
Bulacan remained at fifth place in the North Division despite skidding at 17-6, with Jovit Dela Cruz scoring 27 points and Jay-R Taganas finishind with 17 boards.