Bataan wards off Muntinlupa to stay atop

BALANGA, Bataan — The Bataan Risers proved steadier under pressure to repel the Muntinlupa Cagers,  67-63, Monday night and tighten their grip of the lead in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at Bataan People’s Center.

Getting crucial points from Gabriel Dagangon, Charles Barkely Ebona and Robby Celiz, the Risers posted their 19th win against two losses to the delight of the packed crowd that included MPBL founder Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

Now, the Risers of Coach Jojo Lastimosa can afford to lose one game and still emerge as North division topnotcher as No. 2 Manila Stars hold an 18-4 slate.

Lastimosa, however, is bent on sweeping their remaining games to inculcate the winning culture to his players.

Lastimosa added that he prefers grind out wins like this as it will toughen his wards heading to the playoffs, where the Risers and the next three North teams after the eliminations will enjoy home court advantage in the best-of-three series.

The same situation holds true in the South division.

Flaunting their deep bench, only Dagangon scored in twin digits for the Risers with 15, but six others — Robby Celiz, Yvan Ludovice, Alfrded Ryan Batino, John Bryan Villarias, Charles Barkely Ebona and Garry David — contributed five points or more.

Chito Jaime scored 16 points and Dave Moralde added 12 for the Cagers, who, however, missed the offensive savvy of Allan Mangahas (seven points) and suffered their third straight defeat for a 12-8 slate.

It was a see-saw battle from the start, with neither team leading by more than seven points, as halftime ended at 35-33 with the Risers ahead.

The Risers held the lead for 9 minutes and 10 seconds while the Cagers were on top for 9 minutes and 40 seconds in the first two quarters.

Earlier, the Laguna Heroes Krah kept their playoffs bid alive with a 74-65 conquest of the Valenzuela Classic.

Powered by reedy Ralph Olivarez, burly Raymond Ilagan and veteran Denok Miranda, the Heroes built a 43-25 spread and never wavered en route to their 10th win against 13 losses, tightening the chase for the eight playoff seats in the South division.

The Classic, on the other hand, virtually bowed out of the North division race with an 8-14 card.

Olivarez poured in 20 points, while Ilagan provided ample support with 15 points and 17 rebounds. Not to be outdone, Miranda tallied all but two of his 13 points in the fourth quarter, plus eight assists and six rebounds.

Floyd Dedicatoria, Paolo Hubalde and Chris de Chavez tried to bail out the Classic with a combined 47-point output, but their teammates failed to provide sustaining firepower.

The MPBL visits the Cuneta Astrodome on Tuesday with a double-header featuring General Santos City against Paranaque at 7 p.m. and Pasay against Zamboanga at 9 p.m.