BATANGAS City beat Muntinlupa, 78-74, on Saturday at the Batangas City Coliseum to move a step closer to the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Anta-Rajah Cup title.
Jhaymo Eguilos had 16 points on 7 of 8 shooting from the field for the Tanduay Athletics, one win away from a sweep of the best-of-three title series.
Bong Quinto had nine points and nine rebounds, while Game One hero Teytey Teodoro, Val Acuna and Moncrief Rogado also had nine points each for the Athletics.
Game Three is set on Tuesday at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex.
The Athletics finished the second quarter with a 10-0 blast with Eguilos hitting back-to-back baskets in that run as they take a 38-24 lead at the half.
Eguilos hit a jumper with 1:14 left in the fourth to give the Athletics a 74-65 lead.
The Cagers made it a two-point game with Allan Mangahas burying a triple to cut the deficit to two points, 74-72.
But Athletics hit their free throws in the dying seconds with Lester Alvarez and Teodoro converting.
Chito Jaime had 18 points and five rebounds, while Dave Moralde and Mangahas had 15 points each for Muntinlupa-Angelis Resort
The scores:
Batangas City 78 - Eguilos 16, Teodoro 9, Rogado 9, Acuna 9, Quinto 9, Olayon 7, Varilla 6, Grimaldo 4, Santos 4, Alvarez 3, Villamor 2.
Muntinlupa 74 - Jaime 18, Mangahas 15, Moralde 15, Llagas 9, Buenaflor 6, Ylagan 5, Reverente 4, Apreku 2, Vergara 0, Stevens 0, Salaveria 0.
Quarterscores: 13-14; 38-24; 60-46; 78-74.
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