Bataan rallies for 14th straight MPBL win
BACOOR, Cavite — When the Bataan Risers engaged in a paintball competition the previous week, head coach Jojo Lastimosa said that it was for his team to learn from adversity in all forms.
When the Risers went down by 20 points to the Bacoor Strikers, 21-41, after a free throw by King Destacamento with 3:02 left to play in the period, Lastimosa didn’t panic.
For the hottest team in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup, it wasn’t the first time Bataan had to fight out of a deep hole. Heading into the match, their 13-game win streak had more than a paintball target on their collective backs.
“There is a huge target on us,” dryly noted Lastimosa a few days before the away game against Bacoor. “Everyone is gunning for us.”
And just when it seemed like the streak would end at Bacoor’s Strike Gym on Tuesday night, the Risers battled back coming within five points by the end of the third quarter, 64-59.
Like they have done all season long, all hands were on deck for the win.
Bataan held Bacoor to 11 points while scoring 25 points to take the 84-75 win.
Gary David and JJ Alejandro each scored seven points in the payoff quarter while newcomer Richard Escoto added three points, two rebounds and a steal as Bataan blitzed Bacoor with a crippling 18-0 run to seize their 14th straight win.
David topscored with 20 points and four rebounds while Alfred Batino added 14 markers.
Escoto scored nine points and grabbed three caroms in his Bataan debut.
“I’ve coached him at FEU for three years and I know what he can do. He’s definitely worth the wait,” said Lastimosa of Escoto.
The Risers once more pounded their foe inside the paint to the tune of a 48-34 advantage while also outscoring the Strikers, 13-4 in second chance points.
While Bataan climbed to a league best 14-1, Bacoor remained a head above water with an 8-7 slate.
Gab Banal led Bacoor with 19 points, but was shut down in the final quarter as he missed his five field goal attempts and his two free throws while turning the ball over twice. Rocky Acidre added 15 for his side.
The scores:
Bataan (84) — David 20, Batino 14, Bregondo 9, Escoto 9, Alejandro 8, Celiz 8, Villarias 6, Faundo 5, Raymundo 3, Iñigo 0, Tolentino 0.
Bacoor (75) — Banal 19, Acidre 15, Garcia 9, Montuano 9, Destacamento 7, De Leon 5, De Vera 4, Morales 4, Acuña 2, Aquino 1, Cipriano 0.
Quarter scores: 11-23; 32-42; 59-64; 84-75.
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