DEFENDING champion Pampanga extended its hot run, while home team Manila and Davao Occidental also jumped forward in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball Lague) Sixth Season elimination round on Tuesday at the San Andres Sports Complex.
The Giant Lanterns dumped Imus, 136-75, for their 20th straight win after an initial loss, continuing to set the pace in the round-robin eliminations of the 29-team tournament.
Reigning MVP Justine Baltazar sparkled for Pampanga anew with 24 points and 14 rebounds, overshadowing Rence Alcoriza's 20 points, three rebounds, and two blocks.
Other Giant Lanterns who shone were Brandon Ramirez with 16 points, five rebounds, and three steals; Jeff Viernes with 14 points, five assists, and two steals; and Kurt Reyson with 13 points, six rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
With Baltazar dominant, the defending champions ruled the boards, 68-42, and converted this edge to 36 more points inside the paint (72-36) than the Agimat.
Also-ran Imus, which tumbled to 1-20, got 18 points, six rebounds, and six assists from Richard Albo; 15 points, five rebounds, four assists, and four steals from Jameson Hiro; and 13 points each from Nemesis Dela Cruz and Carlo De Chavez.
Manila, Davao score convincing victories, as well
Not to be outdone, Manila subdued Batangas City, 86-76, while Davao Occidental routed Marikina, 90-78.
Playmaker Renzo Navarro led six Stars in double-figures as they climbed to a 15-5 card. Navarro posted 17 points, seven assists, and four rebounds, followed by 7-footer Greg Slaughter with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Tonino Gonzaga, Jimboy Pasturan, and Jan Jamon each contributed 11 points while Joshua Torralba also chipped in 10.
The Rum Masters, who slid to 14-7, got 17 points apiece from Levi Hernandez and Juneric Baloria, 14 from Cedric Ablaza, and 12 from Kris Porter.
Davao, for its part, drew power from Arth Dela Cruz (11 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, two steals), JK Casino (14 points, five assists), Dariel Bayla (10 points, six rebounds), and Mac Tallo (10 points, five rebounds, three assists) in rising to 15-6.
On the other hand, the Shoemasters slumped to 6-14 despite the 21-point, 6-assist effort of Ahron Estacio, the 13-point, 8-rebound output of Eric Joseph Pili. and the 10-point, 9-rebound contribution of Marlon Basco.
The MPBL returns to the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City on Wednesday with games pitting Bicolandia against Bulacan at 4 p.m., Quezon City against Paranaque at 6 p.m., and Quezon Province against Rizal at 8 p.m.
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