Despite not having reigning MVP Gab Banal and prized recruit Oping Sumalinog, the Bacoor Strikers still managed to survive the Supremos, taking a 95-94 overtime win, Friday evening at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
Ramirez, a combo guard out of Far Eastern University, knocked down a clutch lay-up with 1.6 seconds left to give Bacoor its fifth win in six outings.
The Filipino-American guard Ramirez had 13 points, four assists, and three rebounds as Banal was tapped by Mighty Sports in the William Jones Cup while Sumalinog had a prior engagement.
Michael Mabulac also had a huge in handing the Supremos their fourth loss in five games, tallying 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Aldrin Morante had to take over coaching chores as Bataan head coach Chris Gavina was in Cagayan de Oro with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
JC Escalambre led the way for Caloocan with 18 points while the La Salle duo of Almond Vosotros and Thomas Torres added 15 markers each.
The Makati Super Crunch were also able to go to 4-0 as well, dropping the fancied Bacoor Strikers to 2-3 in the 2019-20 MPBL Lakan Cup with a 76-69 win.
Jeckster Apinan led the way for Makati with 20 points while Cedrick Ablaza and Rudy Lingganay added 12 and 11 markers, respectively.
Bataan skipper Jai Reyes was the sole bright spot for the team coached by Jong Uichico with 14 markers.
To open the day, the Muntinlupa Cagers were able to rack up their breakthrough win in the tournament, giving the controversial SOCCSKSARGEN Marlins a rude 58-55 welcome.
Biboy Enguio and Mark Guillen connived in the final frame to fend off the upstarts.
Fil-Indonesian Enguio had 12 points and 11 rebounds while Guillen added eight points and seven rebounds. Leading the way for the Cagers was Jamil Ortuoste, who had 14 markers.
Jerome Juanico paced the Marlins with 17 points.
The Scores:
First Game:
Muntinlupa 58 – Ortuoste 14, Enguio 12, Salaveria 9, Guillen 8, Villanueva 7, Koga 3, Justiniani 2, Basibas 2, Mag-isa 1, Buenaflor 0, De Leon 0, Po 0, Gonzales 0.
SOCCSSARGEN 55 – Juanico 17, Gonzales 10, Estrellante 9, Diwa 9, Biteng 4, Saquillo 2, Cantos 2, Espinosa 2, Santos 0, Galabin 0, Bernabe 0, Eman 0, Macantal 0, Nocos 0.
Quarterscores: 14-11, 26-17, 44-35, 58-55.
Second Game:
Makati 76 – Apinan 20, Ablaza 12, Lingganay 11, Sedurifa 9, Villanueva 8, Baloria 7, Montalbo 4, Cruz 3, Sta. Maria 2, Importante 0, Manlangit 0, Torralba 0.
Bataan 69 – Reyes 14, Villahermosa 9, Asistio 9, Santillan 8, Villarias 8, Manganti 7, Jaime 6, Pasaol 4, Castro 2, Najorda 2, Batino 0.
Quarterscores: 17-22, 34-39, 63-55, 76-69.
Third Game:
Bacoor 95 – Mabulac 18, Canete 17, Montuano 16, Pangilinan 15, Ramirez 13, Acidre 8, Melencio 6, Aquino 2, Acuna 0, Ochea 0, Destacamento 0.
Caloocan 94 – Escalambre 18, Vosotros 15, Torres 15, Sarangay 14, Sanga 13, Tongco 13, Lasco 4, Ambulodto 2, Marilao 0, Jacaban 0.
Quarterscores: 16-16, 39-37, 60-55, 84-84, 95-94.
