Rizal, Batangas City score wins to tighten up MPBL south race

MANILA — Rizal Crusaders recovered from a shaky third quarter to repulse Marikina Shoemasters, 75-69, in the MPBL Datu Cup at the Batangas City Sports Center in Batangas City on Thursday night.

Appearing to be on track for a blowout after taking a 41-31 halftime lead, the Crusaders sputtered in the third quarter as the Shoemasters outscored them, 23-12, to take a 54-53 lead.

Rizal then started the fourth quarter on a 17-5 run to take a 70-59 advantage with 5:11 to play.

Marikina still had one final push, going on a 10-2 run to cut the lead to just three, 72-69, with 1:32 to play, but Marco Balagtas scored a dagger layup in the next play to help seal the win for Rizal.

Balagtas finished with 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting, 10 rebounds, one assist, two blocks, and one steal, while Eric Dela Cuesta and Marvin Mercado each added 11 markers for the Crusaders, who are now at 3-7, as their bench players took over the game.

Erwin Sta. Maria’s 24-point outing went down the drain as the Shoemasters fell to a four-way tie with the Parañaque Patriots, the Basilan Steel, and the Batangas City Athletics, who won in the second game against the Caloocan Supremos, 81-69, in eighth place in the Southern Division at 4-5.

Teytey Teodoro came out firing for Batangas City as the team once again built a winning streak following a surprise four-game skid at home.

Teodoro led the Athletics’ charge in the fourth quarter to pull away from the Supremos for good after a tight showdown in the first three quarters.

Teodoro finished with 23 points, just one point shy of his MPBL career-high, on 4-of-6 shooting from deep, four rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block, while Jaymo Eguilos and Paul Varilla each added 11 points for Batangas City, which had 24 assists out of its 30 made baskets against only seven turnovers.

Mar Villahermosa top-scored for Caloocan, which slipped to 2-7, with 10 points, two rebounds, three assists, and one block. (Ivan Stewart Saldajeno/PNA)

Popular

PBBM: Middle East crisis no effect on economy, price gouging monitored

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency The government is monitoring the price gouging amid conflict in the Middle East, President Ferdinand R. Marcos...

Malacañang champions responsible usage of AI, warns vs disinformation ahead of SONA

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet Rapid technological advancements, especially in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), have served as the breeding ground for new threats that...

PBBM assures safe, timely repatriation of Filipinos amid Israel-Iran conflict

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed all concerned government agencies to safely repatriate overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Israel and Iran...

PBBM brings Starlink internet kits, school supplies in Marawi

By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led efforts to enhance access to digital education and basic learning needs...