The Muntinlupa Cagers recovered from a lethargic start to thwart the San Juan Knights, 77-71, and grab the solo lead in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at Muntinlupa Sports Complex Wednesday night.
It was the fifth straight victory for the Cagers who emerged the only unbeaten squad in the 26-team league after handing the Knights their first loss in six games.
Trailing by as many as 20 points, 27-47, the Cagers slowly worked their way up and threatened at 53-55 ending the third quarter following a closing 10-point burst sparked by Chito Jaime’s triple and Allan Mangahas’ three-point play.
The Knights held on to a 68-67 lead with 2:51 to go, until Mangahas, who tallied a game-high 21 points, presided over a lethal 10-3 run by the Angelis Resort-backed Cagers with a triple.
John Wilson kept the Knights ‘ faint hope with three free throws, but Jaime’s triple with 15 seconds left forged the final count to the delight of thousands of Muntinlupa fans, who waved elongated light blue balloons throughout the game.
Mangahas was supported by Jaime with 17 points and Dave Moralde with 15.
The Knights got 14 points from larry Rodriguez, 13 from Wilson, 12 from Ryan Ayon Ayon and 11 from Aaron Jeruta.
In the opener, the Imus Bandera leaned on the four-cornered attack of Genmar Bragais, Dan Alberto, James Castro and Ian Melencio to subdue the Valenzuela Classic, 81-71, and level their slate at 3-3.
Bragais fired a game-high 20 points, Alberto 12, Castro 10, and Melencio 8 to go with 8 rebounds and 8 assists.
The Classic fell to 2-3.