Bacoor turned to reigning Most Valuable Player Gab Banal, who delivered back-to-back triples at crunch time to down Pasig, 73-64, in the MPBL Lakan Season at the Caruncho Sports Complex in Pasig City late Wednesday night.
With the game still hanging in the balance, Banal presided over the team’s offense – his first trey in the 1:46 mark gave the Strikers a 68-62 lead then virtually sealed the win with another three-point basket in the last 51 seconds, towing Bacoor to its third straight win.
Bacoor now improved its win-loss record to 3-1 to move up to third spot of the southern division team standings.
Banal finished with 17 points, six rebounds and four assists while fellow MPBL All-Star Ian Melencio contributed 12 as Bacoor dealt the Sta. Lucia Realtors-backed Pasig squad its second loss in three starts.
Earlier, Biñan City edged Cebu, 85-81, in overtime while Bicol ran roughshod over Marikina, 86-67.
The Krah-Heroes banked on veteran guard Allan Mangahas, who ended up two assists shy from completing a triple-double performance. The local boy from San Pedro, a few minutes away from Biñan, tallied 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists while coming off the bench.
Another off the bench player, Kyle Neypes, contributed 12 for the Heroes, who improved their win-loss record to 2-2.