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ParaƱaque weathers late Bacoor City run to score road win

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--ParaƱaque held off a late Bacoor City run to take an 82-81 win in the MPBL Datu Cup at the STRIKE Gymnasium in Bacoor on Thursday night.

The Patriots bubbled a 10-point fourth quarter lead but still kept the Strikers from stealing the home win.

ParaƱaque held a 74-64 lead with 5:58 to play in the game.

But Bacoor City went on an 11-1 run to tie the game, 75-all, with 2:52 remaining.

Harold Arboleda put the Patriots back up with a crucial basket with 2:29 left as Gab Banal failed to force another deadlock with only a split from the free throw line in the next play.

Mac Montilla then delivered a dagger triple with 1:48 left for an 80-76 lead.

Banal still kept the Strikers in the game with a basket with 20 seconds left, but Robin RoƱo iced the game for the Patriots with two free throws.

RoƱo led ParaƱaque, which moved to solo fifth in the Southern Division at 8-7, with 25 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

Montilla chipped in 16 markers, one board, and one dime.

Banal fired 24 markers, nine caroms, eight dimes, and one block for Bacoor City, which fell to 8-6, opening the door for idle Batangas City to tie the former for third place in the South.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno