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Malolos, Bulacan—The Basilan Steel proved to be durable in the homestretch and subdued the Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors, 89-83, in overtime on Tuesday in the Chooks-to-Go/Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League at Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium here.
Forced into extension when Robbie Manalang knocked in an open three, 74-74, the Steel relied on Dennis Daa and Hesed Gabo to rise to fourth spot in the South division with a 16-9 record.
Daa canned two free throws while Gabo nailed the dagger triple, 88-82, with 41 seconds to go for the Jumbo Plastics-supported Steel, who drew 19 points from Jerald Bautista and 15 from Gab Dagangon.
The 6-foot-5 Daa wound up with 13 points and 8 rebounds, Gabo finished with 12 points plus 8 assists, and Jonathan Uyloan contributed 12 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for coach Jerson Cabiltes.
The Realtors tumbled to 14-10 and seventh spot in the North division despite the 22-point, 10-rebound output of Leo Najorda and the 23-point, 9-rebound line of Jeric Teng.
Manalang ended up with 10 points like Josan Nimes and Alfonso Gotladera, who snagged 13 rebounds.
The Muntinlupa Cagers clustered 12 points in the fourth quarter to repulse the Imus Bandera, 90-66, in the opener between also-ran teams.
With Dave Moralde drilling in five of his 16 points, Paeng Rebugio making four of 12, and Edzel Mag-isa adding three, the Angelis Resort-backed Cagers surged ahead at 85-77 coming from a four-point deficit to improve to 7-19.
John Kevin Ortuoste topscored for Muntinlupa with 26 points, all coming in the first three quarters.
Blanked for 5 minutes and 42 seconds in that crucial span in the fourth, the Bandera fell to 6-21 despite the 18-point effort of Jay-ar Ng Sang, the 17 points of Jayjay Helterbrand, the 14 of Jeric Nacpil and the 11 of JR Cawaling.
The Bulacan Kuyas weathered a stiff challenge from the cellar-dweller Socsargen Marlins before prevailing, 76 -69, and extending their win run to four in the nightcap.
Trailing by as many as seven early in the fourth quarter and up to the halfway mark, 59-60, the Kuyas bunched nine points to gain control and raise their card to 16-8, good for fourth slot in the North division.
Lester Alvarez led the Kuyas with 20 points, followed by JR Taganas with 8 points plus 10 boards and 6 assists.
Sarangani, which got 14 points and 10 rebounds from Pari Llagas was at 1-24 in the South division.
The MPBL goes to Cuneta Astrodome on Wednesday with Marikina battling Bacoor at 4:15 p.m. Cebu City tangles with Quezon City at 6:45 p.m. followed by the General Santos City-Pasay encounter at 8:45 p.m.
