RIZAL Xentromall leaned on Alwyn Alday to subdue also-ran Imus, 103-92, on Wednesday and boost its playoff bid in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.
Home team Binan Tatak Gel then crushed Iloilo, 97-67, in the main event of the round-robin eliminations of the two-division, 29-team tournament.
Alday tallied a career-high and MPBL season-high 43 points, spiked by seven triples, on top of seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals to power the Golden Coolers to a 14-win, 12-loss record, good for No. 8 spot in the North Division.
No other Rizal player scored in double figures with Jeric Serrano and J-Boy Gob contributing eight points each.
The Agimat, who tumbled to 1-24, got 36 points, spiced by 10 triples, seven rebounds, and three assists from Jameson Hiro and 19 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals from Nemesis Dela Cruz.
The Golden Coolers are disputing the eighth and last playoff seat in the North with Quezon City and Valenzuela, both with 12-13 slates.
Unlike Rizal, whose fate hangs in the balance, Binan is certain to make the top four in the South Division eliminations and gain homecourt advantage in the three-game quarterfinals.
Tatak Gel rode JJ Pido and four others to extend its win run to seven and catch up with Batangas at 18-8 in the South being lorded over by Quezon Province (20-5) and Zamboanga Master Sardines (19-6).
Pido posted 15 points, Pamboy Raymundo got 14, and Jonathan Grey, Junjie Hallare, and actor Ronnie Alonte each had 11.
Iloilo fell to 8-17 despite Mark Nonoy's 33-point outburst.
Big-time win for Nueva Ecija
Meanwhile, Nueva Ecija battered Sarangani, 117-80, to strengthen their stranglehold of a top three spot in the North Division.
Newcomer Abra (15-9) and Caloocan (14-9) are virtually assured of advancing to the North playoffs with early qualifiers and overall leaders San Juan (24-1), Pampanga (25-2), and Nueva Ecija (22-3). Manila (17-8) and Pasay (17-9) have also secured their spots in the quarters.
Byron Villarias led six Rice Vanguards in twin-digits with 16 points. John Wilson and Will McAloney contributed 14 points each, Chris Bitoon 13, MJ Ayayay 12, and Gab Dagangon 11.
The Marlins, who skidded to 5-19, drew 16 points and nine rebounds from Coy Alvez and 14 points each from Rev Diputado and Ryan Sual.
The MPBL visits the Cuneta Astrodome on Thursday with games pitting Bulacan against San Juan at 4 p.m., Paranaque against Bacolod at 6 p.m., and Zamboanga against host Pasay at 8 p.m.
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