South Cotabato banked on John Wilson and Enzo Joson to subdue Bataan, 88-75, late Thursday, Feb. 22, and become the first semifinal qualifier in the 2024 MPBL Preseason Invitational at the Lagao Gymnasium in General Santos City.
Wilson fired 28 points, spiced by six triples, while Joson added 16 points as the South Cotabato Warriors posted their second straight win in Group A of the eight-team tournament.
Other games saw Batangas rebound with a 94-59 rout of Manila and Pampanga beat Quezon City TODA Aksyon, 73-68.
The Warriors, under new coach Elvis Tolentino, will aim for a sweep of Group A when they tangle with the Manila Stars at 6 p.m. on Friday.
Marwin Dionisio added 9 points for South Cotabato, which stormed ahead, 70-47.
South Cotabato, formerly GenSan, also drew 6 points and a game-high 14 rebounds from Christian Fajarito.
The Pampanga Giant Lanterns, the reigning MPBL national champions, paraded veteran recruits Jhaymo Eguilos and Jeff Viernes, who did not disappoint.
Eguilos posted 13 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal, while Viernes chipped in 9 points, 3 rebounds and 1 steal.
Encho Serrano tallied 11 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals, while reigning MVP Justine Baltzar settled for 6 points, a game-high 21 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Pampanga also drew 9 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists from MJ Garcia and 9 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals from Arthur Roque.
Quezon City got 13 points and 5 rebounds from Jonas Tibayan and 10 points plus 7 rebounds from Kenji Roman.
Pampanga seeks a semifinals seat against Valenzuela (1-0) at 4 p.m. on Friday. Quezon City and guest team GenSan Bulalakaw of MPBL Founder and CEO Manny Pacquiao at 8 p.m.
