Villar, Reyes power Sports5 to repeat win over Pitbulls

MANILA, Philippines – Merv Villar delivered a new career-high as Sports5 repeated over Pitbulls, 85-73, in the penultimate day of the eliminations of the GMA Basketball League Season 5 at the Colegio de San Lorenzo Gymnasium over the weekend.

Villar topped his previous career-high of 17 as he picked up from where left off and finished with 23 points and seven boards for Sports 5, which played without their three key players Michael Villar, Jutt Sulit and Cedelf Tupas.

Sports 5 also welcomed the return of Radyo PBA anchor Chiqui Reyes, who scattered 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists while PBA commentator Magoo Marjon pumped in eight points, including two straight baskets to end the first half that put them on top, 36-33, after Pitbulls rallied from 10-23 start. 

CJ Zarcal hit 27 points on 5-of-8 three-point shooting to pace the Pitbulls, who last threatened at 67-all with under four minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Sports5 then unleashed an 18-6 finishing kick to claim their sixth win in nine games and zero in on the last outright semis berth.

Sports5 will face Unang Hirit (7-2) led by GMA-7 actor Mikael Daez in a virtual playoff for the last outright semis berth in the final day of the elimination round on Sunday at 10 a.m. in the same venue.

Their first meeting went to Unang Hirit, 62-59, with Daez exploding for 38 points and 18 rebounds.

In the other game, BJFC wound up their elimination round campaign at 6-4 following a big win over Manila Street Kings, 80-65.

The 6-foot-3 model-turned actor Jet Alcantara led the way for BJFC with 25 points, seven boards and two shot blocks while Starstruck Johan Santos, celebrity hunks Jordan Herrera and Carlo Morales chipped in 18, 16 and 13 points, in that order.  

Graphic artist Geio Abary shot 18 points to pace the Street Kings, who wound up with 2-8 record.