Bataan Risers march to 10th straight win in MPBL

BALANGA, Bataan – Make it 10 straight wins for the Bataan Risers.

Sustaining their rise after an opening loss, the Risers subdued the Bulacan Kuyas, 63-49, Monday night and tightened their grip of top spot in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at Bataan People’s Center here.

The Risers, whose streak is already an MPBL record, surged ahead at halftime, 29-19, and were never headed by the Kuyas, who dropped to 8-3.

The Kuyas, sponsored by Mighty Sports headed by Ceasar Chongwuking, came to within 25-29 early in the third quarter, but Jayjay Alejandro pumped in six points in a 10-4 run to quell the uprising, 41-29.

Ahead by 11, the Risers buried the Kuyas deeper on an 8-point binge built on triples by Gary David and John Bryon Villarias and an inside thrust by Jeepy Faundo, 59-40.

Poor shooting hounded the Kuyas, who can only convert 20 of 70 field goal attempts for 29 percent.

The Risers were led by Villarias with 13 points and Pamboy Raymondo with 11.

Earlier, the Paranaque Patriots withstood the Rizal Crusaders’ final rally to prevail, 59-47, and continue their recovery in the South division.

With the Crusaders threatening at 44-48, the Patriots answered with a 7-0 spurt triggered by Harold Arboleda’s two free throws to seal the outcome entering the last minute.

The Patriots, backed by F2 Logistics, posted their third straight win under Coach Richie Melencio and climbed to 7-5, while the Xentro Mall-supported Crusaders dropped to 4-9.

Mac Montilla poured 10 of his team-high 12 points in the fourth quarter to help the Patriots repulse the Crusaders, who charged back from a 15-32 deficit in the third quarter.