Manila took advantage of Batangas City’s rustiness and romped to a 73-50 win in the MPBL Lakan Season late Tuesday night at the San Andres Gym in Manila.
Chris Bitoon and Aris Dionisio, the team’s 1-2 punch, led a balance attack by the Stars, who posted their fourth win in five games and won two in a row at home over a team which was playing its first game in more than three weeks.
Bitoon knocked in 20 points and pulled down eight rebounds while outplaying his counterpart, Jeff Viernes, who struggled for 12 on 4-of-12 shooting from the field.
Dionisio delivered 12 points on top of eight boards and three blocks against the Athletics, who only played their second game after debuting last June 15.
Manila held Batangas to just 28-percent shooting from the field (19-of-66).
Earlier, Basilan and General Santos City carved out contrasting victories over their respective rivals with the Warriors rewarding debuting coach Rich Alvarez an easy 100-76 triumph.
The Steel, on the other hand, held off a hard-fighting Marikina Shoemasters, 86-83.
Three players wound up with double-double performances for Basilan, which improved its win-loss record to 3-1.
