MPBL: Batangas City, Bacolod, Biñan score crucial wins

BATANGAS CITY – Host team Batangas City, Bacolod and Biñan City posted contrasting victories over their respective rivals in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Lakan Season at the Batangas City Coliseum here Thursday.

Lester Alvarez pumped in 21 points and stepped up big in the absence of Jeff Viernes while Adrian Santos and Nikki Perez also made valuable contributions in leading the Tanduay-backed Athletics to a 76-54 demolition job of the SOCCSKSARGEN Marlins.

Santos added 12 while Perez came off the bench and poured in 10 for Batangas City, which improved its win-loss record to 7-4 and solidified its hold of the fifth spot of the southern division of this tournament put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao with PBA legend and former MVP Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner.

Nearly overshadowed by Batangas City’s latest triumph were Bacolod and Biñan City’s victories over their respective foes.

The Master Sardines-backed Bacolod team turned to Mark Tallo, who became the squad’s Fourth Quarter Man as he bailed his team out of trouble against the Imus Bandera, 78-69.

A second generation cager, Tallo knocked in 11 of his total 25 points to lead the way for Bacolod, which improved its win-loss record to 5-8 and moved a notch higher.

Kyle Neypes and Allan Mangahas each wound up with double-double numbers to lead the

Biñan City Heroes to a 95-82 triumph over the Mindoro Tamaraws, 95-82. It was the second straight win for the Krah-supported Heroes, who now improved their win-loss mark to 6-8.

Both Biñan City and Mindoro carry 6-8 slates, but by virtue of the win over the other rule, the Heroes will move up to ninth spot while the Tamaraws will drop to 10th place.

Neypes was a pillar of strength inside as he powered his way for 18 points and 10 boards.

Mangahas, on the other hand, did what he does best. He pumped in 12 markers on top of 10 assists as he simply outplayed all the guards at Mindoro’s side.