CHRIS Bitoon scored 26 points and Riel Cervantes added 25 as Manila rallied to beat Quezon City, 76-71, in the in the MPBL Datu Cup on Wednesday at the JCSGO Gym.
Kyles Lao contributed 13 markers as the Stars fought back from 16 points down and improved their win-loss record to 12-2, firming up their hold of second spot behind the Bataan Risers (12-1).
Bitoon had 10 points in the pivotal fourth, including a layup that gave the Stars a 73-71 lead with 1:04 left.
The Capitals veered away from their small ball play that gave them much success in the third period, and decided to go on isolation plays when needed the most with Joko Tayongtong as the facilitator.
Tayongtong missed a potential game-tying jumper, then the Stars went to Cervantes whose basket with 27 seconds left sealed the win for Manila.
The Capitals absorbed their eighth loss in 11 games.
General Santos City held off Rizal’s last minute, scoring a 65-58 victory.
Leomar Losentes scored 26 points as the Warriors improve their record to 6-7 for eighth spot in the southern division.
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