Dionisio hits game-winning layup as Stars escape Tigers

MANILA, Philippines – Aris Dionisio scored on a layup with 16 seconds left as the Manila Stars edged the Davao Occidental Tigers, 89-88, Tuesday night in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at San Andres Sports Complex.

With the Tigers expecting a final play designed for Chris Bitoon, Manila coach Philip Cezar set up a misdirection that freed Dionisio, who delivered to lift the Stars’ record to 20-5 after the elimination round.

Davao Occidental had a chance to reverse the outcome, but Leo Najorda missed a triple with three seconds left and the Tigers, the pacesetter in the South division, skidded to 19-5.

The feisty Bitoon also played a key role as he canned a jumper earlier to put the Stars within 87-88.

Dionisio and Bitoon, the main men of the Robust Energy Capsule-backed Stars, tallied 17 points each as they shared third place with the San Juan Knights in the North division, trailing the Bataan Risers (22-2) and Makati Super Crunch (20-4).

Melvin Hayes added 16 points for the Stars.

The Tigers got 22 points apiece from Bonbon Custodio and Joseph Terso, 17 from Najorda and 13 plus 16 rebounds from Mark Yee.

In the opener, the Imus Bandera clawed their way back from 22 points down early in the second quarter to subdue the Basilan Steel, 113-108.

With veteran Jercules Tangkay at the firing end, the Steel poured a league-best 65 points in the first half. The Bandera countered with a 40-point output in the second quarter to notch 53 points, leading to a combined MPBL record 118 points at halftime.

Imus rose to 10-13 in the South division as they drew 20 points from James Castro, 19 from John Paul Sarao, 17 from Chester Melencio, 14 from Jonathan Rivera and 12 from Genmar Bragais.

Basilan fell to 6-17 despite the 31-point effort of Tangkay and the 20-point output of Cris Dumapig.

The MPBL visits Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium on Wednesday with Pasay tangling with Pasig at 7 p.m. and Bulacan battling Marikina at 9 p.m.