MUNTINLUPA defeated Batangas City, 82-77, on Tuesday night to keep its title bid alive in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Anta-Rajah Cup at the Muntinlupa Sports Center.
Allan Mangahas exploded with 23 points and nine assists for the Cagers, who extended the series to a Game Four to be played on Thursday night also in Muntinlupa.
Pari Llagas added 19 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals for the Cagers, who started the game with 12 straight points and even led, 18-1, halfway into the first quarter.
The Cagers-Angelis Resort’s lead dropped to two points but Dave Moralde hit a crucial jumper off a Mangahas assist to for an 81-77 lead with 31 seconds left.
Bong Quinto had 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals for the Tanduay Athletics.
The scores:
Muntinlupa 82 - Mangahas 23, Llagas 19, Jaime 10, Moralde 10, Apreku 8, Reverente 7, Ylagan 5, Vergara 0, Stevens 0, Salaveria 0, Buenaflor 0.
Batangas City 77 - Quinto 14, Alvarez 13, Eguilos 12, Varilla 11, Olayon 8, Grimaldo 6, Rogado 5, Teodoro 3, Acuna 3, Santos 2, Villamor 0.
Quarterscores: 27-14; 44-36; 64-52; 82-77.
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