By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA — The Bataan Risers handed the Mandaluyong El Tigre a devastating 44-point defeat, 109-65, in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at the Valenzuela City Astrodome on Tuesday night.
Bataan was consistent in offense all game long even as it stifled Mandaluyong in the first half en route to tying the most lopsided win in MPBL history.
The Risers wasted no time in mauling the El Tigre, limiting them to just nine points in the first quarter while opening a 15-point lead.
Bataan reiterated its plans of crushing Mandaluyong in the second frame, outscoring the opponent, 29-10, to open a 53-19 lead at the half.
Although the El Tigre picked up offensively in the second half, it was already a bit too late as the Risers continued to pummel them.
Gab Dagangon and Richard Escoto each scored 15 points for Bataan, which moved up to 20-2.
Dagangon needed only 18 minutes for his 15 markers, going on a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. He also had eight rebounds, three steals, and one block.
Escoto, on the other hand, was 5-of-6 from the field in barely 15 minutes of play along with three assists.
Pamboy Raymundo, Byron Villarias, and Arvie Bringas each added 12 markers.
The win brought the club to within two more victories from securing the top seed in the Northern Division playoffs.
The team’s 44-point margin in the end is the biggest since General Santos also posted a 44-point win on Nov. 24 against Pasig in Lamitan.
[Related Story: GenSan scores historic rout of Pasig behind fiery Losentes]
[Related Story: GenSan scores historic rout of Pasig behind fiery Losentes]
Janus Lozada fired 16 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals for Mandaluyong, which fell to 8-14.
Box Scores:
Bataan 109 - Dagangon 15, Escoto 15, Raymundo 12, Villarias 12, Bringas 12, Espuelas 8, Tolentino 8, David 6, Ludovice 4, Ebidag 4, Eboña 4, Carlos 3, Iñigo 2, Bregondo 2, Batino 2
Mandaluyong 65 - Lozada 16, Orera 10, Abrigo 9, Bonsubre 8, Nimes 8, Vidal 7, Boholano 4, Cunanan 3, Cauilan 0, Torres 0
Quarterscores: 24-9, 53-19, 78-40, 109-65
Box Scores:
Bataan 109 - Dagangon 15, Escoto 15, Raymundo 12, Villarias 12, Bringas 12, Espuelas 8, Tolentino 8, David 6, Ludovice 4, Ebidag 4, Eboña 4, Carlos 3, Iñigo 2, Bregondo 2, Batino 2
Mandaluyong 65 - Lozada 16, Orera 10, Abrigo 9, Bonsubre 8, Nimes 8, Vidal 7, Boholano 4, Cunanan 3, Cauilan 0, Torres 0
Quarterscores: 24-9, 53-19, 78-40, 109-65
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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