BATAAN repulsed Valenzuela in double overtime 99-96 to share the spotlight with Nueva Ecija in the OKbet-MPBL 4th Season presented by Xtreme on Saturday at the sweaty, people-packed Orion Sports Complex in Bataan.
The star-studded Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards flaunted their strength over the erstwhile unscathed Sarangani Marlins 87-79 and cruised to their sixth straight win in as many starts in the 22-team, 2-division tournament.
Will McAloney sparkled with 23 points and 9 rebounds as the Rice Vanguards led by as many as 26 points, 80-54, and pulled down the Marlins to 5-1.
Other major contributors for Nueva Ecija were Jay Collado with 12 points and 4 rebounds, Pamboy Raymundo with 11 points, 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 rebounds, and Michael Juico with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
YouTube sensation Kyt Jimenez found his range in the fourth quarter, drilling in 18 of his 27 points, but all he could do was cut Sarangani’s deficit to single-digit.
While Nueva Ecija-Sarangani turned out to be lopsided, the Bataan-Valenzuela match was a thriller.
The Camaya Coast-supported Bataan drew 6 points from James Darwin Castro in the second extension to finally subdue Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc. and climb to 3-1.
The GenSan Warriors got an added lift from Gerald Anderson and routed Quezon City MG Cars, 114-83, in the opener of the triple-bill.
