BATANGAS City captured the inaugural Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) title after defeating Muntinlupa, 68-66, on Thursday night in Game 4 of the Anta-Rajah Cup finals at the Muntinlupa Sports Center.
The Athletics laid claim as the first-ever MPBL champion with a close win and finish the series at 3-1.
Jhaymo Eguilos hit a jumper that broke a 65-65 deadlock with one minute left in the game. It became a free throw shooting battle afterwards as both teams couldn’t find the mark at the charity stripe.
The Athletics escaped with the victory after Pari Llagas missed two free throws with three seconds left in the game.
Moncrief Rogado had 14 points, while Bong Quinto had 12 points for the Tanduay Athletics in Game Four.
Llagas had a big game before flubbing the final two free throws in the end game. He had 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Cagers.
The scores:
Batangas City 68 - Rogado 14, Quinto 12, Varilla 10, Teodoro 9, Eguilos 7, Santos 6, Acuna 5, Olayon 4, Villamor 1, Grimaldo 0, Pasculado 0, Alvarez 0.
Muntinlupa 66 - Llagas 19, Moralde 14, Reverente 12, Mangahas 11, Ylagan 7, Jaime 3, Vergara 0, Stevens 0, Apreku 0.
Quarterscores: 16-12; 43-28; 54-47; 68-66.B
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