Makati zeroes in on MPBL record winning run after blasting ParaƱaque


By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA — Makati is just a win from matching the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League record for the longest winning streak.

The team scored a 75-50 mauling of ParaƱaque at the Pasig Sports Center on Thursday night.

The Skyscrapers crushed the Patriots from the get-go, outscoring them, 21-7, in the first quarter and never looking back.

Makati even outscored ParaƱaque, 17-9, in the second quarter to further add damage.

Jeckstar Apinan put up 11 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, one block, and two steals for the Skyscrapers, who scored their 13th straight win.

James Mangahas added 10 points, three rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

The win also forced a tie between them and the Manila Stars for second place in the Northern Division of the MPBL Datu Cup at 19-4, 1.5 games behind the Bataan Risers for the top spot.

Both the Skyscrapers and the Stars are a full game ahead of the San Juan Knights for second place, which means homecourt edge until at least the quarterfinals.

Makati can match Bataan’s league record in consecutive victories at 14 with a win against BiƱan on Wednesday night at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.

John Ambuludto put up 17 markers, 14 boards, one dime, one block, and one steal for ParaƱaque, which fell to 11th place in the Southern Division at 8-15.

The team fell two games behind Zamboanga for eighth place.

The Patriots were held to just 24 percent shooting the entire game.

Box Scores:

Makati 75 - Apinan 11, Mangahas 10, Lingganay 9, Manlangit 8, Sedurifa 7, Villanueva 6, Isip 6, Lloren 6, Ablaza 4, Mocon 3, Sta. Maria 3, Importante 2, Lacsamana 0, Cayanan 0, Morales 0

ParaƱaque 50 - Ambuludto 17, Castro 11, Macaranas 9, De Leon 6, Almajeda 3, Castellano 2, Begaso 1, Menguez 1, Loyola 0, Alano 0, Allen 0

Quarterscores: 21-7, 38-16, 54-32, 75-50

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