FOR the fourth straight play date, another visiting team has conquered the home squad and won big in the MPBL-Anta Rajah Cup.
The Tanduay-backed Batangas City Athletics kept their composure down the stretch to outlast a tough Navotas Clutch-Big J Sports, 80-71, late Saturday night at the Navotas Sports Complex.
It was the fourth straight win of the Athletics, who climbed in a share of the lead with the Quezon City Capitals-Royal Manila with identical 4-0 win-loss record.
“Nakita naming mga coaches and also ni (Paul) Varila na he’s not getting anything down low. Ang ginawa namin since medyo slow yung bantay niya, we isolated him, lalo na late in the game,” said Batangas City head coach Mac Tan. “Ang hirap manalo lalo na sa away. Our plan was to shut up the fans, para ma-minimize yung energy nila, pero hindi namin nagawa. Luckily, we were able show our composure.”
Val Acuna led the way for Batangas City’s scoring production with 17 followed by Teytey Teodoro’s 14 and Bong Quinto’s 12-point output, but it was Jhaymo Eguilos’ double-double effort which carried the Athletics to their fourth straight win and their second consecutive of beating a home team.
Eguilos came away with 11 points on top of 15 rebounds and two blocks.
The loss was a painful one for Navotas, which dropped its second straight game and fell to 2-2.
Meanwhile, the Bulacan Kuyas-Ligo Sardines finally snapped a three-game skid and they did it with their returning coach Chris Baluyot in hammering out a 92-74 triumph over the Caloocan Supremos-Longrich.
Baluyot, who was initially inserted in the line up as a player, returned to his role as coach and took over from Ogie Gumatay a day before the Kuyas’ game against the Supremos.
But Baluyot is no stranger to coaching this team, having handled the Kuyas in the preseason and leading the team to the championship.
“Honestly, napakahirap ng adjustment. As a player, naka-focus ako ng ilang games, tapos nung Friday lang sinabi na I have to take charge as coach. Sobrang pasalamat ko sa mga players na dati kong teammates at nag-respond sila,” added Baluyot, who played briefly in the PBA as a member of the Air 21 Express.
With Gumatay out, PBA legend Marlou Aquino also didn’t show up, although there’s no confirmation yet whether or not he would continue to play for the Kuyas.