BATANGAS CITY—Batangas City experienced its biggest test in the MPBL Anta-Rajah Cup late Thursday night, but managed to survive a tough Paranaque Patriots side in a bruising, down to the wire encounter at the Batangas City Coliseum.
The Tanduay-backed Athletics got their second wind in the extra period to eke out a thrilling 87-79 win over the Patriots.
Val Acuna continued his sizzling performance, scoring 19 points, including four triples, but the Athletics needed timely baskets from Teytey Teodoro to deliver the telling blow on the Patriots.
Teodoro scored on a nifty layup, then drilled in a backbreaking trey with 46 seconds left in overtime to push the Athletics ahead by seven, 84-77.
Batangas City coach Mac Tan admitted the team’s latest triumph was the toughest they’ve picked up.
“Bago mag-halftime, I told them na instead of playing for the crowd, nagsho-show boat tayo,” Tan said. “‘Yun ang problema natin. Dapat nga kakampi natin ‘yung crowd, sumobra kami sa pag-showboat. Tested kami sa away games, but not in our home court.”
It was the fifth win in as many games for Batangas City, which remained as the only undefeated team in the even put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao with Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner.
Paranaque slipped to 2-3 as the squad lost two in a row.
So intense was the game between the two squads which resulted in the ejection of Patriots frontliner Jonathan Belorio, who hit Athletics’ center Jhaymo Eguilos on the head. Things nearly went out of control as a fan, who was seated on the bench of Batangas City, was seen hurling invectives and flashing a dirty finger on assistant coach Lester del Rosario.
Batangas City was slapped a technical foul, while Jemal Vizcarra was also penalized for storming right across the Athletics bench to confront the fan.
But while Batangas City was able to endure repeated uprisings from Paranaque, Navotas completed a dramatic come-from-behind 82-77 victory over Valenzuela.
Quiet for the first three quarters, Yves Sazon unloaded 13 fourth quarter points, including four triples, to spark the Big J Sports-supported Clutch in fashioning a win via the backdoor.
“I have faith in all of my players, basta pinasok ko ‘yan dyan, kumpiyansa ako sa kanila,” said Navotas coach Elvis Tolentino, whose team now forged a tie for fourth spot with its victim at 3-2 mark.