Bataan survives Makati's 2nd half scare for 5th straight win

Guilmer Dela Torre was almost perfect from the field for the Risers. MPBL

By Ivan Saldajeno

MUNTINLUPA--Bataan escaped a second-half blast from Makati and walked away with an 81-77 win in their Monday night MPBL showdown at the Muntinlupa Sports Center.

In the game pitting teams with contrasting streaks, the Risers quickly proved why they're on a roll, opening a 54-30 lead over the slumping Kingpins at halftime.

However, Makati came alive in the third quarter, outscoring Bataan, 32-9, to draw to within just one, 62-63, entering the fourth quarter.

The Risers appeared to have pulled away after starting the fourth on a 12-2 run to reopen an 11-point cushion, 75-64, with 5:56 to play.

However, the Kingpins crawled back again and cut the lead down to three, 80-77, with 40 seconds left.

They even had a couple of chances to trim the gap further, but Kenz Diokno and Kobe Pableo missed their shots and Guilmer Dela Torre iced the game with a split from the line with 8.2 seconds left.

Dela Torre finished with 17 points on 6-of-7 field goals, seven rebounds, one assist, two steals, and one block for Bataan, which has now won five straight games to move up to 6-1.

Gio Espuelas and Jamil Gabawan each added 10 with the latter also grabbing 10 rebounds for the double-double.

Mark Samonte made 22 points, two rebounds, three assists, and one steal, Larry Arpia added 21 points, three rebounds, one assist, and one steal, and Carlos Morales made 10 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block for Makati, which has now lost nine straight games and dropped to a league-worst 1-10 record.

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