Bataan repulsed Valenzuela in double overtime, 99-96, to share the spotlight with Nueva Ecija in the OKbet-MPBL 4th Season presented by Xtreme on Saturday at the sweaty, people-packed Orion Sports Complex in Bataan.
The star-studded Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards flaunted their strength over the erstwhile unscathed Sarangani Marlins, 87-79, and cruised to their sixth straight win in as many starts in the 22-team, 2-division tournament.
Will McAloney sparkled with 23 points and 9 rebounds as the Rice Vanguards led by as many as 26 points, 80-54, and pulled down the Marlins to 5-1.
Other major contributors for Nueva Ecija were Jay Collado with 12 points and 4 rebounds, Pamboy Raymundo with 11 points, 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 rebounds, and Michael Juico with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
YouTube sensation Kyt Jimenez found his range in the fourth quarter, drilling in 18 of his 27 points, but all he could do was cut Sarangani’s deficit to single-digit.
While Nueva Ecija-Sarangani turned out to be lopsided, Bataan-Valenzuela was a thriller.
The Camaya Coast-supported Bataan drew 6 points from James Darwin Castro in the second extension to finally subdue Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc. and climb to 3-1.
The Bataan Risers were ready to celebrate earlier, but Valenzuela’s Patrick Cabahug canned a 3-pointer, his seventh for the night, off two defenders with 18 seconds left to force the first overtime, 77-77.
It was Arvie Bringas’ turn to play hero for Bataan in the extra period, scoring a buzzer-beater lay-up to extend the game anew, 89-89.
Bringas used his burly 6-foot-4 frame to tally 22 points and 16 rebounds. He was supported by Castro, who wound up with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists, and homegrown Gio Espuelas with 20 points and 5 rebounds.
Cabahug finished with 27 points, followed by homegrown Jaymar Gimpayan with 13 points and 19 rebounds, and Lord Hower Casajeros with 19 points and 5 rebounds.
The GenSan Warriors got an added lift from Gerald Anderson and routed Quezon City MG Cars, 114-83, in the opener of the triple-bill.
Anderson poured all of his 16 points in the second half to earn best player honors and complement the 18-point, 12-rebound output of Dhon Reverente.
