By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno | PNA
MANILA — The Imus Bandera forced a Game 3 in their Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) playoff first-round series against the Batangas City Athletics with a 75-69 win at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex on Thursday night.
Two nights after dropping the series opener, the Bandera bounced back by shutting the Athletics down in the second quarter after an impressive first quarter.
Batangas City was on the verge of sweeping the series after taking a 21-13 lead at the end of the first period.
But Imus limited its opponent to just eight points in the second quarter before going on a 24-14 third quarter to take a 49-43 lead.
The team then held Batangas City off in the final frame as offense picked up.
James Castro made 21 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals for the Bandera, who won despite making only 38 percent of their field goals.
Jeff Viernes fired 21 markers of his own off the bench with five rebounds and two assists, while Val Acuña added 20 points, four rebounds, one assist, and two steals for the Athletics, who committed 22 turnovers overall.
