By Ricky Manliguis
ANTIPOLO CITY—Mandaluyong
continued its winning ways, beating Rizal Crusaders-Xentro Mall in a
low-scoring affair, 65-51, in the featured game of the 2018 Maharlika Pilipinas
Basketball League at the Ynares Center here Tuesday night.
Ray Ray Parks Jr. had another solid outing as the Dataland-backed
squad chalked up its fourth straight victory in five outings while denying the
hosts Crusaders its first home success in the fledging league.
The win also enabled El Tigre for a share of the lead atop
the 26-team field with idle Bataan Risers and the Makati Skyscrapers.
Parks finished with 22 points, 14 coming from the first
half, to go along with six rebounds, and three assists. The former NU Bulldog
also had 4-of-8 three-pointers.
JP Cauillan backstopped Parks with eight points spiked on
two triples, while comebacking Thomas Torres had seven.
Mandaluyong dominated the boards, 48-38, with Gian Abrigo
having a hand of 13 of those. They also had an edge in assits (18-9) but
committed 20 turnovers, seven more than the Crusaders’ 13.
No Crusader finished in double digits with Eric Dela Cuesta
and Jerome Juanico both scoring nine markers. The team now suffered its fourth
loss in five games.
The scores:
Mandaluyong 65 –
Parks 22, Cauillan 8, T. Torres 7, Abrigo 6, Bonsubre 4, Javillonar 4, Cunanan
3, Lozada 3, Alabanza 2, Quiro 2, Lim 2, Rivero 2, Boholano 0, Nimes 0,
Santiago 0.
Rizal 51— Dela
Cuesta 9, Juanico 9, Balagtas 7, Doligon 6, Benitez 5, Mangaran 4, Santiago 4, Abugan
3, Diputado 2, Vitug 2, Marquez 0, Lunor 0, Olea 0.
Quarterscores: 19-11,
36-21, 52-34, 65-51.
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