Malolos—Bulacan shook off a slow start and woke up in time to complete a come-from-behind 73-70 win over Pasay in the main game of the MPBL Datu Cup late Thursday night at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium.
Jovit Dela Cruz scored all of his four points and combined forces with James Martinez, who hit a crucial trey in towing the Mighty Sports-backed Kuyas to their 10th win in 15 games to stay in fifth spot of the tough northern division of this tournament put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao with PBA legend Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner.
The Kuyas trailed by as many as 19 points in the second period (38-19), but fought back in the game. They held the Voyagers scoreless in the last 3:10 and from there on, completed their rally.
Martinez hit a triple while Dela Cruz scored the last four points of his squad, allowing the Kuyas to sustain their run on their way to improving their win-loss record to a 9-1 record at home since joining the fastest growing regional amateur basketball league in the country.
The loss sent the Voyagers into a tie with the Valenzuela Classic at eighth spot with identical 6-9 slates.
Earlier, Pampanga blasted a shorthanded Laguna team that played without veteran guard Denok Miranda.
The Lanterns of Congressman Dong Gonzales displayed balance firepower on their way to an easy 75-58 victory.
Levi Hernandez and Michael Juico, ended up in double figures just as expected, but they got the needed help from unheralded Jeric Fabian, who came away with a career-high 17 points.
Hernandez led the way with 18 points, 12 of those happening in the third period, and displayed extra hard work on the defensive end.
Juico, one among the top scorers in the tournament, added 10 points. He also grabbed eight rebounds and kept his temper in check.
In getting back on the winning track, Pampanga improved its win-loss card to 6-10, just have a game behind eighth placer Valenzuela.