By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno | PNA
MANILA — The Bataan Risers survived an endgame push from the Manila Stars and scored a 73-72 win in Game 1 of the Northern Division Semifinals of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) at the Bataan People’s Center in Balanga on Tuesday night.
Up 65-47 after the first three quarters, the Risers suddenly found themselves in danger of dropping the opener of their best-of-three series at home as the Stars came to within two, 70-72, with 15 seconds left.
The door remained open for Manila to force an overtime as Pamboy Raymundo only made 1-for-2 from the free throw line with seven seconds remaining.
However, Bataan’s defense held fort down the stretch as the visiting side failed to launch a three-point attempt in the end, with only an Aris Dionisio layup at the final buzzer, the shot that the host conceded.
Raymundo finished with 12 points, three rebounds, and three assists for the Risers, which can sweep the Stars in Game 2 at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City on Thursday night.
The team that calls the arena home, the San Juan Knights, also went 1-0 up in their own MPBL quarterfinal series with a 94-86 win against the Quezon City Capitals in the first game.
Unlike Bataan, San Juan had a relatively smoother route as the team opened an 81-66 lead with 4:49 to play that it would maintain until the end.
Mac-Mac Cardona erupted with 25 points – with three rebounds, nine assists, and one steal for the Knights, which can oust the Capitals at home.
In a losing effort against the Risers, Dionisio made 21 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, one block, and two steals.
On the other hand, Hesed Gabo put up 21 markers, while Andoy Estrella added 20 for the Capitals against the Knights.
