Inaugural staging champion Batangas City fought back from 16 points down before turning back powerhouse Bacoor, 87-86, in the MPBL Lakan Season at the Batangas City Coliseum.
Members of the Batangas Athletics celebrate their win.
Jason Melano and Jeff Viernes produced double-double performances late Tuesday night, resulting in an emotional home win for the Tanduay-backed Batangas City Athletics in a gripping match in front of a raucous crowd.
Melano had 20 points and 13 rebounds and completed a steal that led to the game-winning lay up at the other end for Mon Rogado to send Batangas City Athletics to its fifth win in eight games in the southern division of this tournament.
Viernes, the spitfire guard, returned to help the Batangas City Athletics after missing the team’s last two games. He came back and produced a double-double of 11 points and 10 assists, but his three-point basket touched off a 14-3 wind up by Batangas City, which played the unusual role as underdog this time.
Still licking the wounds of their painful setback to Makati a few days ago, Basilan Steel unveiled their most productive game of the season; giving the Navotas Clutch a sound beating, 113-94.
Jett Vidal of the Basilan Steel protects the ball from the tight guarding Kojak Melegrito of the Navotas Clutch.
The 113 points was a franchise-best for Basilan, which also shot a respectable 60-percent shooting from the field (48-of-79) and drew 78 points from inside the shaded area, 44 more than its counterpart. The Basilan Steel’s bench also proved to be superior as their shock troopers outplayed their rivals, 63-45.
Gerald Anderson of Imus Bandera prepares to help out during a rebound play.
Imus Bandera edged Nueva Ecija, 75-73, in the other game as Jayjay Helterbrand sunk three of four free throws down the stretch that bailed the Bandera out of trouble and propelled the team to its third win in nine games.