Home team Manila-Frontrow put on a show and destroyed hapless Rizal-Xentro Mall, 116-89, in the 2019-20 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Season, Monday at the San Andres Sports Complex.
Chris Bitoon uncorked 28 points on a very efficient 12-of-15 shooting clip in just over 21 minutes alongside four rebounds and four steals. The Stars improve to 21-4, just half-a-game behind top seed San Juan.
Mark Dyke delivered 16 points, while Gabby Espinas and Aris Dionisio gave 14 points apiece for Manila.
“Focused ‘yung mga bata. Gusto nilang patunayan na kahit nagka-long break, nasa kundisyon pa rin sila,” said Manila coach Tino Pinat.
Already ahead 30-20 in the second period, Stars unleashed a 17-1 bomb — capped by Bitoon’s three-point play — to build a huge 26-point advantage, 47-21.
Bitoon’s three-pointer from the left wing at the 6:50 mark of the fourth frame pushed Manila’s lead to 35, its biggest of the game, 92-57.
The Stars capitalized on Rizal’s miscues, converting 22 turnovers into 35 easy points.
Mark Benitez tallied 21 points, while Jayvee Vidal added 14 markers. The Golden Coolers slid to 4-19, dead last in the Northern division.
The Scores:
Manila-Frontrow 116 – Bitoon 28, Dyke 16, Espinas 14, Dionisio 14, Abrigo 8, Tallo 6, Go 5, Arellano 4, Lee 3, Laude 3, Camacho 3, Hayes 2, Manalo 2, Matias 0.
Rizal-Xentro Mall 89 – Benitez 21, Vidal 14, Hoyohoy 12, Rios 10, Regalado 8, Leynes 7, Gregorio 6, Casajeros 5, Bautista 4, Raflores 2, Lacastesantos 0, Bacay 0, Saliente 0, Acuna 0.
Quarterscores: 28-18, 51-28, 82-51, 116-89.
Story by Justin Valencia
Photo by Nicks Hernandez
