THE Parañaque Patriots banked on Jielo Razon to nip the Manila Stars, 74-72, and share the limelight with the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards last Saturday in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season at the Olivarez College Gym in Paranaque.
Will McAloney bailed out Nueva Ecija twice, first on a follow-up that forced overtime at 74-74, then scored on a lay-up for the marginal basket that handed the Rice Vanguards their eighth straight win and the solo top spot in the elimination round of the 29-team tournament.
McAloney wound up with 17 points and 14 rebounds for defending champion Nueva Ecija, which also drew 13 points from Chris Bitoon and 10 each from Renz Palma and John Byron Villarias.
Marikina tumbled to 3-5 despite the 22-point, 9-rebound effort of RV Berjay, the 17 points of Felipe Chavez, the 16-point, 13-rebound output of Jason Strait and the 12-point, 10-rebound contribution of Jason Opiso.
Razon, a prized find from the University of Perpetual Help, fired 9 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, including the dagger triple with 12 seconds left, as the Patriots notched their fourth win in nine starts.
The 5-foot-11 Razon, who also grabbed 11 rebounds and issued 6 assists to earn best player honors, got support from homegrown Paolo Castro with 11 points and James Patrick Abugan with 10 points plus 8 rebounds.
