MANILA, Philippines – Given the chance to shine, Kyles Lao is glowing like a gem for the Manila Stars.
Playing extended minutes due to the absence of injured veteran Roger Yap, Lao combined with backcourt ace Chris Bitoon and power forward Marvin Hayes to lift the Stars past the Paranaque Patriots, 98-88, in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League at Valenzuela Astrodome.
Undersized for his position at 6-foot-2, Hayes made 18 points and grabbed 19 rebounds for the Stars of Coach Philip Cezar.
Lao, a former UP Maroon, and Bitoon scored 13 points each in the second half as the Stars rallied from a 14-point deficit (53-67) to subdue the fading Patriots.
It was the second time for Lao to deliver as he also contributed 12 crucial points in the Stars’ 60-59 squeaker over the Zamboanga Valientes on Oct. 27.
The Robust Energy Capsule-backed Stars gradually improved their scoring each quarter, tallying 23, 24, 25, 26, respectively, to post their fourth straight win and rise to 11-2 in the North division.
In contrast, the Patriots ‘scoring decreased gradually from a high of 30, 27, 17 and 14, en route to an even 7-7 record.
Other Stars who sparkled were Adrian Celada with 16 points and Reil Cervantes with 12.
The F2 Logistics supported-Patriots got 21 points from Ryusei Koga, 17 from Robin Rono, 12 from John Ambuludto, 11 from Ivan Villanueva and 10 from George Allen.
In the nightcap, the Bacoor Strikers thwarted the Valenzuela Classic,87-81, to climb to 8-5.
Rama Morales took up the scoring cudgels for the Strikers with 23 points, compensating for the below average performance of Gab Banal and Mark Montuano, who was held to five and six points, respectively.
Leo de Vera also played a key role for the Strikers with 11 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.
The Classic fell to 4-9 despite getting twin digits from six players.
It will be Antipolo City’s turn to host the MPBL with a twin-bill pitting Makati Super Crunch against Zamboanga Valientes at 7 p.m. and Rizal Crusaders against Batangas City Athletics at 9 p.m. at Ynares Center.