Batangas leaned on its enviable depth on Wednesday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season elimination round, bucking the absence of four key players to subdue Bataan, 73-69, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Despite missing Levi Hernandez, Cedrick Ablaza, Jeckster Apinan, and MJ Dela Virgen due to various injuries, the Rum Masters still controlled the tempo of the game and even surged ahead, 51-37, midway through the fourth quarter.
Balanced Batangas
Juneric Baloria, the lone starter left, carried the load for Batangas with 18 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while CJ Isit backed him up with 11 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Other Rum Masters who delivered were Darwin Lunor with nine points and four rebounds, Mark Cruz with eight points, and Kris Porter and John Ambulodto with seven points each.
The Risers - who were missing Arvie Bringas, Jamil Gabawan and Ronjay Lastimosa - dropped to 3-7 despite the 17-point, 6-rebound effort of Rhaffy Octobre and the 13-point, 5-rebound output of Jeff Santos.
Ibanez' breakout
Bulacan, powered by the 34-point explosion of Nino Ibanez and the double-double of Kristan Hernandez, then bested Bacolod City, 94-82, to climb to 2-9, a rung above its victim which fell to 1-9.
Hernandez tallied 21 points and 11 rebounds to go with three assists, while Khen Osicos also did his share with 11 points and six rebounds.
The MPBL goes to the WES Arena in Valenzuela on Thursday with games pitting Pasay against Binan at 4 p.m., Rizal against Manila at 6 p.m., and Davao against Valenzuela at 8 p.m.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
