MALOLOS — Coming off a dismal Game One, Manila-Frontrow’s Chris Bitoon made his presence felt in Game Two of their 2020 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan quarterfinals series against seventh-seed Pasig-Sta. Lucia.
Bitoon, who was averaging 12.6 points in 10.6 shot attempts during the eliminations, was limited to just two points on a poor 1-of-7 shooting from the field.
Due to that poor showing in the series opener, the 5-foot-8 scoring guard expected that the defense on him would loosen up and focus on his teammates, who had fine performances in Game One.
“Noong Game One talaga mainit ‘yung iba kong kakampi, kaya ‘di rin ako gaano naka-attempt,” said the 24-year-old Bitoon.
“This game expected ko na magcla-clog sila sa loob so na-open ako sa labas.”
The PBA draftee, who is a product of St. Clare College of Caloocan, then came back in Game Two with a bang. He posted 19 points on a 7-of-11 clip, including three three-pointers, on top of seven rebounds, six assists, and a steal.
“Nag-extra practice talaga ako after nung Game One. Nag-shooting talaga ako kasi alam kong sina Kuya Carlo (Lastimosa), ‘yung mga big men namin na babantayan sila. Naging ready lang ako tuwing mabibigyan ng bola.”
Moreover, he led the Stars to the North semifinals after sweeping the Realtors, 82-80, Saturday at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center.
But his performance almost went from hero to zero.
Up by just two with 17 seconds left, Bitoon was intentionally found but missed his freebies, giving Pasig a chance.
Luckily, though, Jeric Teng’s and Argel Mendoza’s last-second shot attempts both clanked off the rim.
Stars head coach Tino Pinat heaved a sigh of relief with Bitoon’s performance, saying this is what he expects from him.
“Buti naka-bounce back si Chris. Expected ko naman sa kanya na mag-deliver palagi.”
In the other quarterfinals match, three-seed Makati-Super Crunch overcame its homecourt woes to book a spot in the semis after topping Bulacan, 86-78.
The Stars will face Makati-Super Crunch in the best-of-three semis.
Story by Justin Valencia
Photo by Thel Suliva
