Bacoor erected a 20-point barrier and used it as a buffer to batter Bulacan, 78-69, in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season on Friday at the Bacoor Strike Gymnasium in Cavite.
Mark Yee recorded a double-double, and three other Strikers reached double figures as Bacoor extended its winning streak to seven, vaulting to 11-1.
They now trail only defending champion Nueva Ecija (11-0) and rejuvenated Pampanga (10-0) in the elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.
Showing he’s still dependable at 41, Yee scored 11 points, including a game-sealing slam, grabbed 12 rebounds, dished out 5 assists, made 2 steals, and blocked a shot for Bacoor.
The Strikers pulled away at 62-42 early in the fourth quarter.
Yee’s efforts were complemented by James Kwekuteye with 12 points and 6 rebounds, Alwyn Alday with 11 points, Michael Canete with 10 points, and Jammer Jamito with 8 points, along with 12 rebounds.
Despite Rence Alcoriza’s 22 points and 6 rebounds, Daniel De Guzman’s 11 points, and Kentoy Segura and Joseph Gabayni’s 10 points each, the Kuyas dropped to 6-7. Gabayni also grabbed 12 rebounds.
In other games, Caloocan narrowly defeated Iloilo, 91-87, in overtime, while Laguna subdued Bicol, 89-80.
Caloocan made a nine-point run led by Jeramer Cabanag and Mac Baracael at the start of the extra period, which proved to be enough to secure an 8-4 record.
Cabanag finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Baracel contributed 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks, pushing Iloilo down to 5-7.
Caloocan spoiled the efforts of Iloilo’s Tony Ynot, who scored 21 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, made 5 steals, and had 2 blocks, as well as Lorenzo Navarro, who hit a three-pointer to force overtime at 77-77 with 23 seconds left and added back-to-back treys in overtime, finishing with 17 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals.
Jerome Garcia led Laguna to a 3-10 record with 21 points, followed by Paolo Pontejos with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, and Kenneth Acibar with 11 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks.
Despite James Martinez’s 18 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds, and Ralph Jeffrey Deles’ 10 points and 14 rebounds, Bicol suffered its 13th consecutive defeat.
The MPBL will visit the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City on Saturday, featuring a triple bill: Nueva Ecija against Sarangani at 4 p.m., Pasig against GenSan at 6 p.m., and San Juan against Quezon at 8 p.m.
