The Manila Stars did not let the hostile crown in Bulacan affect their momentum, cruising past the Kuyas, 93-72, Wednesday evening at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium.
Manila improved to 6-1 in the Northern Division of the 2019-20 MPBL Lakan Cup.
The Stars were simply too much against the Kuyas, particularly on inside scoring. Manila produced 58 points inside the paint, 32 more than its counterpart.
Even Manila’s bench players were more superb, tallying 52 points compared to only 32 from Bulacan.
Carlo Lastimosa wreaked havoc on the defense of Bulacan, torching the hoop for 27 points.
The duo of Chris Bitoon and Aris Dionisio remained sensational as well with Bitoon scoring 16 points while Dionisio tallying 12 rebounds, eight points five assists, three blocks, and two steals.
Bulacan, who fell to 3-4, was led by Dennis Santos with 17 points and seven rebounds. Dan Sara added 14 markers.
Earlier in the day, the Bacoor Strikers flirted with disaster before notching their sixth straight win at the expense of hard-fighting but luckless SOCCSKSARGEN Marlins, 65-60.
Ian Melencio pumped in 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field to lead the way for the Strikers while Gab Banal and Michael Canete chipped in 12 markers each.
The Marlins fell to 0-4.
Norman Gonzales led SOCCSKSARGEN’s gallant stand with 11 markers.
The Basilan Steel also returned to the win column, taking down the suddenly-skidding Valenzuela Classic, 87-78.
Basilan, who went up to 4-3, were led by Jhaps Bautista’s 27 points. Jessie Collado added 14 markers.
Chris De Chavez and Paolo Hubalde tried to will Valenzuela but ultimately succumbed to a 4-4 slate. De Chavez had 23 points while Hubalde notched a double-double with 14 points and 10 assists.
The Scores:
First Game:
Bacoor 65 – Melencio 14, Banal 12, Canete 12, Montuano 6, Pangilinan 6, Acuna 5, Aquino 4, Destacamento 3, Webb 2, Ramirez 1, Sumalinog 0, Acidre 0, Ochea 0.
SOCCSKSARGEN 60 – Gonzales 11, Juanico 9, Diwa 8, Estrellante 7, Santos 6, Espinosa 5, Saquillo 4, Bernabe 3, Bitent 2, Eman 2, Nocos 0, Retaga 0.
Quarterscores: 14-11, 26-24, 47-36, 65-60.
Second Game:
Basilan 87 – Bautista 27, Collado 14, Hallare 9, Palencia 8, Lunor 6, Dumapig 6, Dagangon 4, Alanes 3, Bringas 2, Gabo 2, Julkipli 1, Sorela 0.
Valenzuela 78 – De Chavez Ch. 23, Hubalde 14, Ruaya 11, Andaya 6, Mabigat 6, De Chavez Ca. 4, Sta. Maria 3, Gimpayan 2, Kalaw 2, Cabrera 1, Asuncion 0, Thiele 0, Diego 0.
Quarterscores: 23-21, 46-41, 70-58, 87-78.
Third Game:
Manila 93 – Lastimosa 24, Bitoon 16, Bringas 9, Hayes 8, Dyke 6, Dionisio 6, Lee 6, Abrigo 4, Laude 4, Lopez 4, Go 3, Fortuna 3, Arellano 0, Sabelina 0.
Bulacan 72 – Santos 17, Sara 14, Siruma 11, Dela Cruz 7, Bonsubre 6, Diputado 6, Nermal 5, Mendoza 2, Escosio 2, Alabanza 1, Antipuesto 1, Arim 0, Butron 0.
Quarterscores: 18-15, 48-35, 74-53, 93-72.
