By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno/PNA
MANILA — The GenSan Warriors remained unbeaten at its home floor after subduing the Navotas Clutch, 80-73, at the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Datu Cup at the Lagao Gymnasium in General Santos City on Saturday night.
Leomar Losentes took over in the fourth quarter as the Warriors prevailed over the Clutch in a battle of teams with identical 7-9 records entering their showdown.
Just as Navotas thought it can finally give GenSan its first home loss after limiting its opponent to just 13 third quarter points and trimming the gap to just three, 60-57, Losentes opened the fourth with 11 points off three straight triples and a layup while sparking a crucial 8-1 run that extended the lead to 10, 74-64, with 4:42 to play.
The Clutch still put up a fight and were within three again, 73-76, with 1:11 remaining, but Marlon Basco scored a dagger jumper with 50 seconds left, while Rocky Clavel put the icing on the cake with a breakaway layup with 16.7 seconds left.
Losentes finished with 19 points on 5-of-10 shooting from long range, one rebound, and two steals for GenSan, which moved to a tie with Parañaque for sixth place in the Southern Division at 8-9, a half-game behind Cavite-based squads Bacoor City and Imus for fourth place.
Delmar Mahaling added 14 markers, six boards, one assist, two steals, and four blocks.
Marlon Gomez put up 14 points, 11 caroms, and one dime for Navotas, which fell to a three-way tie with Valenzuela and Mandaluyong, which fell to Marikina in the first game, for sixth to eighth places in the Northern Division at 7-10.
Marikina recovered from a sluggish second quarter and romped Mandaluyong in the second half for a 76-62 win.
The Shoemasters appeared to be handing the El Tigre a sound beating after limiting them to just eight points in the first quarter.
However, Mandaluyong took control in the second period and took a 30-28 halftime advantage.
Marikina then erupted for 27 points in the third period for a 55-46 lead, and the team pulled away from there.
Jay-Ar Ng Sang put up 17 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, and one steal for the Shoemasters, who tied the Zamboanga Valientes for 10th place in the Southern Division at 6-10.
Ryan Costelo made 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and one steal, while Ronald Roy chipped in 14 markers, three rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
Gerald Anderson finished with nine points, six rebounds, two assists, and one steal in his first game at his hometown of General Santos, albeit playing for Marikina.
Gian Abrigo made 16 markers, 11 rebounds, one assists, one steal, and two blocks for the El Tigre.
