Batangas City—Makati kept its streak going and notched its eighth straight win in its last elimination game of the year in the MPBL Datu Cup at the Batangas City Coliseum here late Wednesday night.
The Super Crunch outplayed the Pasay Voyagers, 67-59, to fortify their chances of moving up further in this tournament put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao, with PBA legend and former MVP Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner.
After picking up their 14th win in 18 games, the Super Crunch are now within striking distance of No. 3 seed San Juan Knights in the northern division. The Knights are just half a game behind the Super Crunch.
But host team Batangas City was not as successful in extending its winning run, this after Manila played the spoiler’s role.
The Stars turned to Chris Bitoon, who played the spoiler’s role in leading the Robust Energy Capsule-backed Stars to a thrilling 80-79 win over the Athletics and stopped the host team’s seven-game winning run.
Bitoon finished with 13 points, including the go-ahead layup that propelled the Stars to their 15th win in 18 games, just a game behind tournament leader Bataan Risers.
The loss was the seventh in 18 games for the Tanduay-supported Athletics.
Bitoon, the spitfire guard, delivered the crucial basket in the last five seconds of the game as his getaway layup proved to be the marginal basket.
The Athletics had one last chance of salvaging a win, but Jhaymo Eguilos missed a jumper, allowing the Stars to snatch a win, their third straight since losing to San Juan.