MPBL: Manila, Parañaque Patriots strike over rivals

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — Bringing its swagger to silence the Kapampangan crowd, Manila asserted its mastery over host team Pampanga to win big in the MPBL Datu Cup while Parañaque got back to its winning ways by outlasting Pasay Saturday night here at the Angeles University Foundation Arena.

The Stars got a big game from the smallest man on the team — Chris Bitoon — who knocked in 22 points and dished out nine assists in powering Manila to a 100-75 demolition of Pampanga.

It was the fourth win in five games for the Stars, who had defeated their last three opponents by an average of 20.3 points. Prior to this game, the Robust Energy Capsule-backed Stars were coming off from a 107-76 whipping of the Cebu Sharks-Casino Ethyl Alcohol, whom they had held scoreless the entire first period.

This time, they brought their vicious form in thwarting the Pampanga Lanterns, who had lost back-to-back games and fell to 2-3.

Earlier, the F2 Logistics-supported Parañaque Patriots held steadier down the stretch to nip the Pasay Voyagers, 73-69.

Harold Arboleda, the league’s double-double machine, came up with another solid showing to power the Patriots. He finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds while also dishing out five assists and a steal in another solid effort. His impressive numbers enabled the F2

Logistics-backed Patriots got back to the win column. Parañaque now improved its win-loss record to 3-2. Pasay absorbed its fourth loss in five games. The win didn’t come easy though for Parañaque, which needed to battle its way back from a 15-point deficit at half time.

But the Patriots came out with a more energetic showing in the second half led by Arboleda and Rysuei Koga, the only other double-digit producer for Parañaque with 16 markers.

By crunch time, the Patriots went to their best player, Arboleda, and the former NLEX Road Warrior knocked in his team’s last five points, including the goahead three-pointer that shoved his team up front, 71-69 heading to the final minute of the match. —