MAKATI clustered nine points late in the fourth quarter and stunned defending champion Nueva Ecija 68-61 last Saturday in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season at the University of Saint La Salle Gym in Bacolod City.
The Makati OKBet Kings surged ahead 65-55 with 2:02 left and proceeded to post their 15th win against six losses in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.
Rob Celiz powered Makati with 12 points and 9 rebounds, followed by JC Cullar, whose triple capped that pivotal salvo, with 11 points plus 4 rebounds; Billy Robles with 10 points plus 13 rebounds and Keith Agovida with 10 points.
Anthony Bringas also delivered for Makati with 8 points plus 11 rebounds that helped the Kings rule the boards, 53-38, and notch 28 points on second chances against only 9 for the Rice Vanguards.
