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MPBL: Batangas survives Bacoor; Basilan, Imus prevail

The Batangas City Athletics celebrate their victory over the Bacoor Strikers on Tuesday in the MPBL Lakan Season. (Photo by MPBL)

By Kristel Satumbaga

Batangas City rose from a 16-point deficit to turn back Bacoor, 87-86 in the MPBL Lakan Season at the Batangas City Coliseum on Tuesday.

Jason Melano and Jeff Viernes produced double-double performances to steer the Athletics to their fifth win in eight games in the Southern division.

Melano pumped in 20 points and hauled 13 rebounds while Viernes posted 11 points and dished off 10 assists.

Bacoor absorbed its third straight loss in 11 games to drop to third place despite the efforts of Michael Mabulac and Mark Joseph Pangilinan, who merged for 28 points.

Earlier, Basilan bounced back from defeat and thumped Navotas, 113-94, while Imus edged Nueva Ecija, 75-73.

It was Basilan’s best franchise production, shooting 60 percent from the field (48-of-79) and drawing 78 points in the shaded area to improve to 7-4. Navotas fell to 2-6.

Gab Dagangon led the Steel with 20 points, Hesed Gabo chipped in 12 points and 13 assists, and Anthony Bringas contributed 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Ex-pro Jayjay Helterbrand, meanwhile, hit three of four free throws down the stretch that bailed Imus out of trouble and propelled the team to its third win in nine games.

Tags: Bacoor Strikers , Basilan Steel , Batangas City Athletics , Imus Bandera , MPBL Lakan Season , Navotas Clutch , Nueva Ecija