MANILA, Philippines – The Makati Super Crunch zoomed ahead in the first half and never looked back to rout the Paranaque Patriots, 75-50, in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup Thursday night at the Pasig Sports Center Caruncho Gym.
Employing a suffocating defense, the Super Crunch held the Patriots to single digits in the first two quarters and built a 38-16 spread en route to their 13th straight win and a 19-4 record in the North division.
With two games left to play, the Super Crunch are tied with the Manila Stars at second place behind the Bataan Risers (20-2) and ahead of the San Juan Knights (17-5).
The Patriots dropped to 9-15 and formally bowed out of the playoffs race in the South division.
It was a virtual workout for the Super Crunch as Coach Cholo Villanueva used all 15 players at his disposal, with Jeckster Apinan leading the team in scoring (11), rebounding (12) and assists (5).
James Mangahas added 10 points, while 10 other Super Crunch contributed two points or more in a display of firepower.
John Abu Ambuludto notched game-highs 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Patriots, but only Paolo Castro supported him with 11 points and 8 rebounds.
The Pasig Pirates may be out of contention at 4-19, but they will go down fighting.
Leaning on Francis Camacho and Mark Andaya, Pasig stunned Pampanga, 69-67, in the nightcap, further dimming the Lanterns’ chances of making the North division playoffs.
The Lanterns fell to 9-14 and need to sweep their last two games to entertain hopes of qualifying.
Camacho drilled in two triples in the last four minutes while Andaya poured 10 points in the fourth quarter as the Pirates played their hearts out.
Andaya and Argel Mendoza wound up with 16 points each while Camacho added 12.
The Lanterns had a chance to reverse the outcome, but Michael Juico’s 3-pointer rimmed out at the buzzer, spoiling his 23-point, 20-rebound effort, the first MPBL player to do so.