Batangas stretches streak, Rizal wins

MANILA, Philippines — Batangas City Embassy Chill showed no mercy in a 96-55 massacre of the Laguna Krah Asia Heroes on Saturday in the OKbet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 4th Season presented by Xtreme at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The Athletics dominated the game throughout en route to their ninth straight win in the single-round-robin elimination phase of the 22-team tournament.

Levi Hernandez came off the bench to lead Batangas with 17 points, including five triples, plus three assists and three rebounds, followed by Cedric Ablaza with 16 points, nine rebounds and three steals.

Other Athletics in double figures were John Ambulodto with 12 points plus seven rebounds, Dawn Ochea with 12 points and five boards and Jeremy Cruz with 12 points, all in the fourth quarter.

With the outcome beyond doubt, Batangas coach Cholo Villanueva had the luxury of shuffling 15 players, only two of them failed to score.

Laguna, which suffered its sixth straight defeat, tumbled to 1-7.  The Heroes got 14 points from Darius Duane Estrella.

Rizal Xentro Mall allowed Mindoro to come closer before unloading a lethal scoring run anchored on Alvin Capobres and Jolo Mendoza and pulling away, 100-82, in the nightcap.

Capobres poured nine of his 23 points while Mendoza posted eight of his 20 in the last 10 minutes as Rizal, which also drew 16 points from Troy Mallillin, improved to 5-3 under coach Jonathan Banal.

Steered by playing coach Drake Santos, Mindoro moved within 74-80, only to be blitzed by Rizal, 20-5, in a three-minute span.