MANILA — The Valenzuela Classic scored a huge boost to their flickering Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Datu Cup playoff hopes after downing the Bulacan Kuyas, 84-75, at the Valenzuela City Astrodome on Tuesday night.
Valenzuela opened the game with five straight points before keeping its neighbor at bay almost all game long.
Bulacan was still able to tie the game, 23-all, on a James Martinez triple with 7:29 left in the second quarter, but that was the visitor’s lone bright spot in the match.
Chris de Chavez scored 17 points, three rebounds, four assists, and one block for the Classic, who jumped to 10th place in the Northern Division at 9-14.
This following the Mandaluyong El Tigre’s 65-109 loss to the Bataan Risers earlier Tuesday.
Hans Thiele added 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting with seven rebounds.
Paulo Hubalde made up for an off night in scoring as he dished out 13 assists on top of his six points, all on free throws, seven rebounds, two steals, and one block.
The win brought Valenzuela to within a half-game of Caloocan for eighth place in the North.
Jovit dela Cruz’s 27-point explosion went down the drain as Bulacan fell to 13-10, although the team remains fifth in the North.
In the first game, Bataan was consistent in offense all game long even as it stifled Mandaluyong in the first half en route to tying the most lopsided win in MPBL history.
The Risers wasted no time in mauling the El Tigre, limiting them to just nine points in the first quarter while opening a 15-point lead.
Bataan reiterated its plans of crushing Mandaluyong in the second frame, outscoring the opponent, 29-10, to open a 53-19 lead at the half.
Although the El Tigre picked up offensively in the second half, it was already a bit too late as the Risers continued to pummel them.
Gab Dagangon and Richard Escoto each scored 15 points for Bataan, which moved up to 20-2.
Dagangon needed only 18 minutes for his 15 markers, going on a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. He also had eight rebounds, three steals, and one block.
Escoto, on the other hand, was 5-of-6 from the field in barely 15 minutes of play along with three assists.
Pamboy Raymundo, Byron Villarias, and Arvie Bringas each added 12 markers.
The win brought the club to within two more victories from securing the top seed in the Northern Division playoffs.
The team’s 44-point margin in the end is the biggest since General Santos also posted a 44-point win against Pasig in Lamitan on November 24.
Janus Lozada fired 16 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals for Mandaluyong, which fell to 8-14.
Box Scores:
First Game
Bataan 109 - Dagangon 15, Escoto 15, Raymundo 12, Villarias 12, Bringas 12, Espuelas 8, Tolentino 8, David 6, Ludovice 4, Ebidag 4, Eboña 4, Carlos 3, Iñigo 2, Bregondo 2, Batino 2
Mandaluyong 65 - Lozada 16, Orera 10, Abrigo 9, Bonsubre 8, Nimes 8, Vidal 7, Boholano 4, Cunanan 3, Cauilan 0, Torres 0
Quarterscores: 24-9, 53-19, 78-40, 109-65
Second Game
Valenzuela 84 - Ch. De Chavez 17, Thiele 16, Dedicatoria 9, Ca. De Chavez 9, Cabrera 9, Arambulo 8, Hubalde 6, Kalaw 3, Reyes 3, Ortega 2, Mabigat 2, Gimpayan 0, Lacamento 0, Velasco 0, Alcober 0
Bulacan 75 - Dela Cruz 27, Melano 12, Martinez 11, Siruma 11, Cañada 7, Taganas 3, Colina 2, Diputado 2, Escosio 0, Ballon 0
Quarterscores: 19-14, 40-33, 63-56, 84-75 (PNA)
