ANGELES, PAMPANGA — 1Bataan-Camaya Coast leaned on its defense late to escape Manila-Frontrow, 77-76, in the 2019-20 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Season, Thursday at the AUF Gym.
Down by a solitary point, 75-76, 6-foot-4 forward Chito Jaime drilled the go-ahead post shot with 56.8 ticks, 77-76. Both teams then exchanged misses to end the game.
The native of Balanga, Bataan followed it up with a huge stop, tapping the ball away from Aris Dionisio with 1.2 seconds left to seal the win.
“Our last defensive play shows the character of my players. Alam nila na Manila is more talented, they have more height. So how do we beat this team? We have to outwork them,” said Risers coach Jonas Villanueva on their last defensive play.
Manila’s Espinas started the second period with two freebies, 16-15. It was all Bataan after that, scoring 15 unanswered points, 11 coming from Reed Juntilla to put his team ahead, 30-16.
The Stars then retaliated with a 15-5 blast to trim Risers’ lead to four, 31-35. But Bataan countered with six straight points to enter halftime ahead by double-digits, 41-31.
Juntilla posted 15 points, while Villarias added 13. Joseph Nalos chipped in 11 markers, four rebounds, and five assists.
Bataan moved to fifth place with a 16-9 win-loss record.
Lastimosa delivered 19 points, while Dionisio stuffed the stat sheet with 17 markers, six boards, six blocks, two assists, and two steals. Manila slipped to 21-5, half-a-game ahead of third-place Makati.
The Scores:
1Bataan-Camaya Coast 77 – Juntilla 15, Villarias 13, Nalos 11, Llanto 10, Jaime 9, Iñigo 8, Batino 7, Jumao-as 4, Gozum 0, Cudal 0, Castro 0.
Manila-Frontrow 76 – Lastimosa 19, Dionisio 17, Dyke 11, Bitoon 8, Abrigo 7, Espinas 7, Montilla 3, Hayes 2, Tallo 2, Lee 0, Bringas 0, Arellano 0.
Quarterscores: 15-14, 41-31, 63-60, 77-76.
Story by Justin Valencia
Photo by Thel Suliva
