After suffering a heartbreaking loss to the defending champion San Juan, the Bacoor Strikers picked up their first win in the 2019 MPBL Lakan Cup at the expense of crosstown rivals Imus-Khaleb Shawarma Bandera, 79-63, Thursday evening at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium.
Former Arellano Chief Michael Canete powered Bacoor’s third quarter breakaway, scoring 13 of his 17 points during the frame. He also had seven rebounds and two steals.
Mark Montuano and Gab Banal put on the finishing touches as Bacoor would lead by as much as 24 points in the final frame. Montuano and Banal had 18 and 17 markers respectively as the reigning MVP also tallied six rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
Eric Acuna glued things together for Bacoor with 10 dimes.
Banal also limited Jayjay Helterbrand all game long.
After finishing with 14 rebounds, eight assists, and eight rebounds in his MPBL debut, the former PBA MVP was limited to just eight points, four rebounds, and four assists.
Gerald Anderson was the sole bright spot for Imus, who fell to 1-1, as he tallied 14 points, five steals, and four rebounds.
Hosts Bulacan Kuyas could not follow up their thrilling win over Cebu six days ago in the main game of the day, falling to the General Santos Warriors-Burlington, 81-77.
John Orbeta proved to be the difference in the tightly-contested tilt, scoring 13 of his points in the final frame — including the game-sealing free throws with nine seconds left.
Robby Celiz pumped 14 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists in the bounce-back win for Gen San while the backcourt duo of Pamboy Raymundo and Mikey Williams finished with 15 and 13 points respectively while dishing out a total of 11 dimes.
Dan Sara paced Bulacan with 16 points while fellow former Red Lion Jay-R Taganas had 14 rebounds, 10 points, and seven assists.
Jovit Dela Cruz added 11 markers for Bulacan.
The Scores:
First Game:
Bacoor 79 – Montuano 18, Banal 17, Canete 17, Sumalinog 11, Pangilinan 6, Ramirez 6, Destacamento 2, Aquino 2, Ecuna 0, Castro 0, Webb 0.
Imus 63 – Anderson 14, Cantimbuhan 9, Helterbrand 8, Ng Sang 7, Mirza 6, Martinez 4, Doligon 3, Caceres 3, Alonzo 3, Cunanan 0, Ong 0, Vito 0, Deles 0.
Quarterscores: 12-20, 35-33, 62-46, 79-57.
Second Game:
Gen San 99 – Orbeta 16, Raymundo 15, Celiz 14, Williams 13, Basco 8, Foronda 7, Masaglang 4, De Guzman 4, Cabanag 0, Vijandre 0.
Bulacan 87 – Sara 16, Dela Cruz 11, Taganas 10, Alabanza 10, Escosio 10, Siruma 7, Capacio 6, Arim 4, Diputado 2, Nermal 1, Bonsubre 0, Santos 0, De Mesa 0.
Quarterscores: 17-21, 36-35, 58-57, 81-77.
