THE Bataan Risers met stiff resistance from Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines before prevailing, 81-78, Friday and staying in contention for a top four finish in the North division elimination round of the Chooks-to-Go/MPBL Lakan Season at Valenzuela Astrodome.
Groping for form, the Risers trailed by 11 points in the first quarter and wrested control only in the third, 60-56, en route to their fourth straight win and an 18-9 record.
Other games between also-ran teams saw the Valenzuela Classic edge the Rizal Golden Coolers, 81-77, and the Marikina Shoemasters beat the Paranaque Patriots, 89-82.
John Bryon Villarias carried the offensive load for Camaya Coast-backed Bataan, pouring 10 of his 16 points to help the Risers defuse Navotas’ final rally.
Though out of contention at 7-20, Navotas refused to give up and threatened at 78-80 following a triple by Osama Abdurasad.
Gino Jumao-as split his charities with 11 seconds left to give Bataan a 3-point lead with 11 seconds to go.
Navotas’ Allan Evangelista was able to launch a possible game-tying triple but missed, to the relief of the Risers, who are right behind fourth-ranked Bulacan Kuyas (18-9) and are in front of the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, 17-9.
Enrico John Llanto topscored for Bataan with 18, followed by Villanueva, and James Darwin Casto with 14.
Navotas drew 17 points from Jhong Bondoc, 16 from Mark Anthony Guillen and 14 from Abdurasad.
