By Ivan Saldajeno
BATANGAS CITY--Batangas City built a huge lead just enough to hold off Davao Occidental, 76-66, in Game 1 of their MPBL Playoffs first-round tie on Thursday night at the Batangas City Sports Coliseum.
After a close first quarter, the Rum Masters went on a 21-10 second quarter to blow the game wide open, eventually stretching their lead to 19, 67-48, early in the fourth.
The Tigers made things interesting after coming to within six, 66-72, with 1:46 to go, but a crucial Bonbon Custodio bad pass eventually led to a Kris Porter jumper that nailed the coffin for the Rum Masters.
Despite the win, coach Cholo Villanueva wants Batangas City to work on finishing the game strong, especially taking control of their fourth-quarter fouls, so they can close out Davao Occidental in Game 2 next Thursday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan.
"One thing on top of my mind is fouls. We kept on fouling, which was stopping our momentum, so we need to do a better job of playing proper defense," Villanueva said.
Levi Hernandez fired seven triples for all of his 21 points with five rebounds, and one steal for the Rum Masters off the bench.
Ced Ablaza and Philip Paniamogan each added 12 markers.
Keith Agovida put up 14 points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal for the Tigers.
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