THE Bataan Risers rose from the deathbed and pulled off a 77-76 squeaker over the Muntinlupa Cagers in overtime late Wednesday in the MPBL 2025 Season at the Orion Sports Complex in Bataan.
Trailing by four with just 23 seconds to go, the Risers leaned on a follow-up by Lorenz Capulong and an open 3-pointer by Yves Sazon with 3.3 ticks left to snatch their third victory in eight starts this season.
READ Basilan holds off Caloocan to take third MPBL win
The Risers' win overshadowed the Pampanga Giant Lanterns' 94-90 triumph over the Mindoro Tamaraws in the day's second game.
Bataan opened the extension period with a drive by Sazon and two free throws by Dom Vera, but three straight triples by Buenaventura Raflores, Dom Matillano and Marvin Hayes against a charity by Capulong pushed Muntinlupa ahead, 76-72, sending many Bataan fans heading to the exits.
The Risers appeared doomed after Jamil Gabawan flubbed two free throws with 12 seconds left, fortunately Capulong snagged the rebound for the follow-up, 74-76, and got fouled.
Sazon game-winner
Capulong intentionally missed the freebie, Matillano grabbed the rebound but off-balanced, yielded ball possession as he tapped it back, paving the way for Sazon's game-stealer.
Muntinlupa, which suffered its first loss after winning the first four, forced overtime at 67 following a clutch triple by Matillano with 6.8 seconds to go.
Robbi Darang posted 20 points, 8 assists, 4 assists and 3 rebounds for Bataan, which also drew 14 points and 6 rebounds from Vera and 11 points plus 2 rebounds from Sazon.
The Cagers got 25 points, spiked by seven triples, from Raflores, from Matillano and Andre Flores.
Forced into a see-saw battle, defending back-to-back champion Pampanga leaned on Archie Concepcion to thwart Mindoro and stay close to pacesetters Nueva Ecija (7-0) and San Juan (5-0) in the chase for playoff spots.
Concepcion catches fire
Concepcion poured 31 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and was supported by Chris Lalata with 14 points and 4 rebounds, and John Lloyd Clemente with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
Mindoro, now being coached by Bengie Teodoro, tumbled to 3-6 despite Bambam Gamalinda's 24 points and 11 rebounds, Wendel Comboy's 18 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, and RJ Ramirez's 14 points, 6 assists and 2 steals.
The Basilan Viva Portmasters quelled Caloocan Batang Kankaloo's final rally and prevailed, 92-82, in the opener of the tripleheader.
The MPBL goes to the Ynares Arena 2 Montalban on Thursday with games pitting Zambanga against Bacolod at 4 p.m., Marikina against Quezon City at 6 p.m., and San Juan against host Rizal at 8 p.m.
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