Super Crunch break winning run record

MANILA, Philippines – The Makati Super Crunch woke up from a first quarter slumber and battered the Quezon City Capitals, 102-78, Monday night to complete their record win run in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

With John Rey Villanueva and Jeckster Apinan puncturing the hoops, the Super Crunch outscored the Capitals the rest of the way and led by as many as 30 points, 97-67, en route to their 15th straight victory and a second best 21-4 record after the elimination round.

Despite limited playing time as Coach Cholo Villanueva shuffled his 15-man bench, Villanueva came through with 20 points while Apinan chipped in 19 as the Super Crunch eclipsed the 14-game win streak of the Basilan Risers, the overall pacesetter at 21-2 with two games to go.

The Capitals, who surged to an 18-10 lead, got 15 points from Jay Collado and 14 from Kim Medina.

Other Makati stalwarts like Joseph Sedurifa and Cedric Ablaza also delivered with 13 points each as the Super Crunch pulled down the Capitals’ record to 11-12.

Villanueva attributed the Super Crunch’s surge to the hard work and determination of his undersized wards.

“We don’t have a John Wilson, a Mac Cardona, or a Reil Cervantes,” said Villanueva, referring to the former pros seeing action for the San Juan Knights and the Manila Stars “All we have are a bunch of hard workers.”

In the nightcap, the Knights routed the Valenzuela Classic, 102-83, behind the 22-point explosion of Wilson and the 10-point contribution of Carlos Isit.

The Knights will head to the playoffs with a 20-5 mark, while the Classic finished their campaign at 10-15.

Valenzuela got 15 points from Chris de Chavez and 13 each from Floyd Dedicatoria and Ryan Arambulo.

On Tuesday, the MPBL goes to the Sa Andres Sports Complex with Imus facing Basilan at 7 p.m. and Manila battling Davao Occidental at 9 p.m.