By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno/PNA
MANILA — Bacoor City came alive in the dying moments to stun Manila, 92-86, in the MPBL Datu Cup at the Olivarez College Gymnasium in Parañaque on Monday night.
The Strikers made sure Gab Banal’s triple-double will not go down the drain despite blowing a double-digit lead early on by making six straight free throws in the final 44 seconds while keeping the Stars scoreless in the said span–and for almost two minutes in total.
Banal, who played facilitator in the entire fourth quarter, finished with 17 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists with a steal and a block for Bacoor City, which went back to the .500 mark at 9-9 and tied GenSan for fifth place in the Southern Division, snapping a four-game slide.
Mark Montuano added 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while Rama Morales chipped in 14 points, four rebounds, and one assist.
Aris Dionisio put up 22 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal, and seven blocks for Manila, which saw its four-game winning streak come to an end while falling to a tie with San Juan for second place in the Northern Division at 16-4.
