PARAÑAQUE used a methodical attack to open its campaign in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) with a win following a 76-73 squeaker past Valenzuela on Wednesday at the Angeles University Foundation Gymnasium in Pampanga.
Mac Montilla came off the bench to spark the Patriots' attack and give their new partners F2 Logistics its maiden victory.
The Cebuano marksman scattered 20 points on 4-6 shooting from downtown, and came up with the biggest plays on both ends down the stretch to fend off the Classic.
Leading by just six and the Classic hot on their heels, Montilla forced a turnover with less than a minute left after reading Mel Mabigat's pass perfectly for the steal.
Montilla then went all the way to give the Patriots a 74-68 lead with 51 seconds to go.
Harold Arboleda's missed free throws opened the doors of a Valenzuela comeback as they trimmed the Patriots' lead to just four, 74-70, but Ryusei Koga put the game away for good with his two foul shots.
Koga finished with 14 points as Ivan Villanueva chipped in 12.
Paolo Hubalde led the way for the Classic with 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists as Rocky Acidre added 14 points and four steals.
The scores:
Parañaque 76 – Montilla 20, Koga 14, Villanueva 12, Arboleda 9, Vizcarra 9, Ambuludto 3, Justiniani 3, Alano 2, Allen 2, Sta. Cruz 2, Rono 0
Valenzuela 73 – Hubalde 16, Acidre 13, Mabigat 8, Ruaya 6, Arambulo 6, de Chavez 5, Gimpayan 4, Argamino 3, Dedicatoria 3, De Guzman 2, Ortega 0
Quarterscores: 16-13, 39-34, 59-45, 76-73
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