Batangas-Embassy Chill went on a rampage and drubbed Paranaque, 92-58, on Monday in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season at the Batangas City Coliseum.
With Levi Hernandez and Juneric Baloria hitting their targets, the Athletics pounded the Patriots until the end, raising their record to 9-2 in the elimination round of the two-division, 29-team tournament.
Hernandez fired a game-high 22 points, including four triples, while Baloria added 21 points, also with four triples, for the Athletics, who pulled away from a 14-14 tie after the first quarter.
Other Athletics players who contributed were Jeckster Apinan with 9 points and 9 rebounds; MJ Dela Virgen with 9 points, all from beyond the arc; and Mark Cruz and CJ Isit with 8 points each.
Outrebounded 31-56, the Patriots dropped to 6-7, with only Joshua Gallano and Jayboy Solis able to provide offensive support with 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Earlier, Valandre Chauca completed a three-point play with six seconds left to lift Bacolod City of Smiles past Muntinlupa, 73-72, giving them a 4-8 record. However, it was Domark Matillano who earned the best player honors following a 20-point, 5-rebound performance for Bacolod.
They wasted a 42-25 lead but managed to squeak past Muntinlupa, which fell to 6-5. Chauca, a former Adamson Falcon, ended the game with 10 points, as did James Mangahas.
Paranaque received 19 points and 5 rebounds from Ian Melencio and 12 points from John Cedric Abis.
Sarangani dumped Quezon City Gaz N Go, 94-68, in the opener to even their record at 6-6.
Led by Jeff Viernes, who tallied 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists, Sarangani pulled away at 88-59 and handed Quezon City their 10th loss of the season, dropping them to 3-10.
Viernes received support from JC Escalambre with 16 points and 5 rebounds, Alex Desoyo with 14 points, JP Cauilan with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Jefferson Comia with 11 points and 5 rebounds.
Quezon City got 19 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block from Andrei Duremdes, son of MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes.
On May 30, the MPBL will be held at the Bataan People’s Center, with Valenzuela battling Makati at 4:00 PM; Pasay facing Manila at 6:00 PM; and Pampanga clashing with Bataan at 8:00 PM.
