MPBL PITS UNBEATEN BATANGAS-TANDUAY, MUNTINLUPA

Batangas City and Muntinlupa-clash on Tuesday in a battle between unbeaten teams in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL)-Anta Rajah Cup at Navotas Sports Complex.

The Tanduay-backed Batangas Athletics have not lost in five meetings while the similarly hot Angelis Restor-supported Munti Cagers are on a fourgame run. Game time is 7 p.m.

The Athletics are coming off an 87-79 overtime triumph over the Parañaque Patriots.

“It was one of our toughest wins and we expect tougher games ahead,” said Batangas City coach Mac Tan, who will lean on former Philippine Basketball Association players Val Acuña and Lester Alvarez.

Tanduay Distillers Inc. president Lucio “Bong” Tan, Jr. said supporting Batangas shows his belief in the league founded by Sen. Manny Pacquiao, who wants to provide opportunities for local cagers to advance their dreams.

“When we formed Tanduay Athletics, we had grassroots youth development as one of our major thrusts,” said Tan. “We believe we can give equal opportunities to aspiring basketball talents through MPBL.”

Each MPBL team is required to have at least three homegrown players.

Batangas is home to Tanduay as its alcohol refinery, Absolut Distillers Inc., has been operating in the municipality of Lian for 26 years now.

The 9 p.m. main game will feature host Navotas-Big J Sports against Bataan-Bai-Shipping.