Bulacan continued its wining run in the MPBL Datu Cup and added Basilan to its growing list of victims late Tuesday night at the MARIST School Gymnasium.
The Mighty Sports-backed Kuyas came up with two big defensive stops and turned to Jason Melano in the endgame to score a tense 57-55 win over the Steel.
It was the fourth straight win by Bulacan, which improved its record to 5-1, vaulting into solo second place.
In the nightcap, celebrity baller Gerald Anderson thrilled Marikina folks as he played for the Shoemasters for the first time this season. Marikina nipped Pasig, 71-67, for its first back-to-back victories of the season. Anderson officially scored his first point in the league in the first half off his split charities, but he was able to complete three steals and came up with big stops to earn praise from his coach.
“May laro talaga siya. You’ve got to see him play. If not for the loose balls and steals na ginawa niya baka hindi pa kami nanalo,” said Marikina coach Elvis Tolentino. “I just told him to be more aggressive attacking the basket. It will come.”
Marikina improved its win-loss record to 3-2 while also dealing Pasig its fifth consecutive loss in as many games. The Pirates are the only winless squad in the tournament.