MPBL: Bacoor strikes back; Makati, Mindoro triumph
Bacoor bounced back in a big way by venting its ire on Paranaque and scoring the biggest winning margin in league history Tuesday night in the MPBL Lakan Season at the Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor, Cavite.
The Strikers gave the Patriots a 53-point beat down, 109-56, allowed Bacoor to avenge its painful loss to Batangas City a few days ago.
Mark Pangilinan unloaded 20 points and presided on the team’s offense. He was backed up by Paolo Castro, who had 17 points in what was easily his most productive game in a Bacoor uniform. Curiously, he played his best game against his former team.
Reigning Most Valuable Player Gab Banal and Michael Canete added 14 points apiece for the Strikers, who shot a steady 53-percent from the field (38-of-71) and dished out 29 assists, 13 more than their rivals.
With the win, Bacoor improved its win-loss record to 9-3 and firmed up its hold of the third 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.
Bacoor’s latest win also shattered a previous record set by Makati earlier as the Super Crunch gave the SOCCSKSARGEN Marlins a sound beating, 106-70.
It was the fifth straight win posted by the Super Crunch, who climbed back to solo second in the tough northern division with a 9-1 win-loss mark, just half a game behind tournament leader San Juan Knights.
Also winning Tuesday night was Mindoro, which nipped Marikina, 80-75, in the other game.
Rodel Vaygan had another explosive performance, hitting seven of his 11 three-point attempts, on his way to finishing with 29 markers to lead the Tamaraws to their first back-to-back victories of the season under head coach/team owner Justin Tan.
