THE 1Bataan Risers nipped the Makati OKBet Kings 68-65 late Saturday to get back on track in the OKbet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season at the Bataan People’s Center in Balanga City.
Atoning for an awful performance in his previous outing, James Castro posted 18 points, including the marginal three-point play, as the Risers halted a three-game slide and evened their slate at 3-3 in the elimination round of the 29-team tournament.
After Castro, who was held scoreless in Bataan’s 60-62 loss to Manila on April 15, completed a 3-point play with still 2 minutes and 17 seconds to go while Makati bungled its last eight attempts, the last two on treys by Emman Calo, to enable Bataan to avert another collapse.
Castro emerged Bataan’s lone double-digit scorer apart from grabbing 5 rebounds, issuing 3 assists and stealing twice in a 31-minute 44 second-stint.
The homegrown star was followed by Arvie Bringas with 8 points plus 9 rebounds and Yves Sazon with 8 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Jamil Gabawan also delivered with 6 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
Makati, which dropped to 2-2, got 15 points from Calo and 13 from Rob Celiz.
