GAB Banal exploded for 31 points as the Bacoor Strikers beat the GenSan Warriors, 90-80, on Thursday night in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Datu Cup first round playoffs at the Rizal Memorial Colleges gym in Davao City.
Banal also had eight rebounds and eight assists as the fifth-seed Strikers pulled the rug under the fourth-seed Warriors.
The scene shifts to General Santos City for Game Two on Saturday where the Warriors are looking to avoid a sweep of the best-of-three series.
Mark Montuano had a near double-double after finishing with 23 points and nine rebounds for the Warriors.
Joem Morada had 19 points and eight assists, and Chris Masaglang had 14 points and 10 rebounds for GenSan.
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