MPBL: Laurenz Victoria scores game-winner as Pasay hands Batangas City 1st defeat

AJ Coronel and Axel Iñigo join Laurenz Victoria in celebrating his game-winner against Batangas City. MPBL

By Ivan Saldajeno

SAN JUAN, MM—Pasay denied Batangas City from joining the 4-0 Club early into the MPBL season after scoring a 65-64 win on Thursday night at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

Laurenz Victoria stunned the Rum Masters with a long two with less than a second left as the Voyagers stretched their own winning streak.

After his team forced a turnover with 7.5 seconds left, Victoria went for a pull-up jumper that swished through the net with only 0.6 seconds remaining to give Pasay the lead.

Jeckster Apinan tried to steal the win for Batangas City, but his three-point attempt only hit the backboard as time quickly expired.

Patrick Sleat led the Voyagers, who now won three straight games after losing their season opener against the Negros Muscovados, with 15 points, three rebounds, and one steal.

Warren Bonifacio added 14 points, eight rebounds, and one block.

Ced Ablaza made 18 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals for the Rum Masters, who suffered their first loss of the season after a 3-0 start.

Box Scores:

PASAY 65 - Sleat 15, Bonifacio 14, Victoria 12, Reverente 7, Caballero 6, Inigo 5, Ramirez 3, Aguirre 2, Coronel 1, Sienes 0, Salenga 0, Chan 0, Tabi 0, Hillario 0, Lustina 0.

BATANGAS CITY 64 - Ablaza 18, Hernandez 10, Dela Virgen 8, Apinan 7, Baloria 6, Cruz 5, Ramirez 4, Porter 4, Ochea 2, Isit 0, Oliva 0, Lunor 0, Arim 0, Alarcon 0, Importante 0.

Quarterscores: 13-17, 28-26, 34-47, 65-64

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