BATANGAS—Batangas City survived a late uprising by Muntinlupa before pulling off a 70-64 win at the start of their bets-of-five finals series of the MPBL-Anta Rajah Cup at the over-hot Batangas City Coliseum.
The Tanduay-backed Athletics turned to Teytey Teodoro, who delivered the crucial baskets that staved off the Angelis Restort-supported Cagers’ rally.
The stocky but shifty guard knocked in 20 points, 13 of them coming in the pivotal fourth period.
Batangas City squandered a 10-point lead in the last three minutes of the game and allowed the Cagers to catch up.
A 10-2 run by the Cagers knotted the score for the last time at 64-all, but Teodoro came to his team’s aid, knocking in the baskets that mattered the most.
The Athletics scored the last six points of the match as Teodoro split his charities, then hit a jumper with 25 seconds left plus a foul from Felix Apreku. Teodoro completed the three-point play for a 68-64 count.
The Cagers turned the ball over in the next play, allowing Paul Varilla for the breakaway lay up for the final tally in this event put up by Sen. Manny Pacquiao, with Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner.
For Batangas City coach Mac Tan, the near endgame meltdown is something the team needs to address.
“One thing we want to avoid is complacency and that’s what happened to us,” said Tan. “It’s a good thing we were able to hang on and win. But Game 1 doesn’t mean anything. It takes three wins to win the series.”
Ex-pro Val Acuña contributed 14 markers for the Athletics, who will take a 1-0 lead heading to Game 2, also to be held here.
The finals series has a 2-2-1 format.