Manila subdues Bataan
Manila downed Bataan, 90-84, on Wednesday, April 17, and gained traction in the MPBL Sixth Season at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Other games saw Pangasinan vent its wrath on Bulacan, 87-55, and Bacolod repulse Sarangani, 84-81.
Pao Javellona and Carl Bryan Cruz scored 17 points each, while Rabeh Al-hussaini and Ahmad Didat Hanapi added 15 each as Manila SV Batang Sampaloc notched its second straight win and climbed to 2-1 in the round-robin elimination round of the country's top regional league.
Their joint efforts enabled Manila to lead by as far as 69-52 and hand Bataan its first loss in three outings.
Javellona added 7 assists and 6 rebounds to earn best player honors over Cruz, who also had 6 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 assists.
Hussaini, a former UAAP MVP, also posted 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks while Hanapi added 7 rebounds.
Having dropped their first two games, the Pangasinan Heatwaves played all-out from the start and were never in trouble as Hesed Gabo presided over their offense with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Gabo was supported by Michael Mabulac and homegrown Mark Meneses, who chalked 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals each.
Jason Solis submitted 17 points for Bulacan, but his teammates all failed to score in twin digits.
Bacolod wasted a 21-point lead, but held on to nip Sarangani in the opener and improve its card to 1-2.
Homegrown LA Casinillo paced Bacolod with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals, followed by Tricky Dyn Peromingan with 12 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks, and Jacob Galicia with 11 points and 10 rebounds.