BINAN, Laguna – The Makati Super Crunch are turning out to be a super bunch.
Bereft of superstars, Super Crunch continued to rely on cohesion and precision to down the San Juan Knights, 78-73, Monday night and extend their victory streak in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at Alonte Sports Arena here.
Powered by the troika of John Rey Villanueva, Cedrick Ablaza and Joseph Sedurifa, the Super Crunch surged ahead at 26-12 and were never headed en route to their 11th straight win, a 17-4 record, and a share of second place in the 26-team league founded by Sen. Manny Pacquiao.
The Bataan Risers repulsed the Laguna Heroes, 77-70, in the nightcap to tighten their grip of the lead with an 18-2 mark, followed by Super Crunch and the Manila Stars. The Knights absorbed their fifth loss in 22 outings and slid to No. 4 from second spot.
The Heroes put up a gallant stand, seizing the lead at 69-68, only to be pulled down to their 13th loss in 22 starts by their inability to hit free throws in the last two minutes.
Yvan Ludovice led five Risers in double figures with 16, followed by Gary David with 11, and Gabriel Dagangon, Richard Escoto and Pamboy Raymundo with 10 each.
Villanueva barely missed a double-double with 21 points, nine rebounds and four steals; Ablaza chipped in 19 points and eight rebounds, while Sedurifa added 13 points and seven rebounds for the Super Crunch of Coach Cholo Villanueva.
The 6-foot-3 Ablaza carried Super Crunch in the fourth quarter with nine points, thwarting the repeated rallies of the Knights, who got 15 points each from Ryan Ayon Ayon and John Wilson and 12 from Mac Cardona.
“It (victory) is big because the Knights are one of the big dogs in the tournament,” said Villanueva, adding he is not concerned about his wards peaking early as he feels they have a lot more to give and they can still improve on many aspects of the game.
On Tuesday, the MPBL heads to Olivares College Gym in Paranaque for a double-header pitting Paranaque against Davao at 7 p.m. and Valenzuela against Pasay at 9 p.m.