Bulacan Kuyas-Mighty Sports extend the Batangas City Athletics’ losing skid in a 62-54 win in last night’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Datu Cup 2018 match at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium.
The Kuyas overcame a sluggish start by pumping up their defense, limiting the Athletics to just eight points in the second period, to start the half with a 33-27 lead and never looked back.
Ex-pro Hans Thiele scored the most points for the pink jersey squad with 11 to go with 6 rebounds while Stephen Siruma chipped in 10 points, 3 caroms and 4 assists.
Beefy middle man Jay-R Taganas made the most of the Athletics’ missed field goals sniffing a game-best 17 rebounds to go with 8 points as Jerick Cañada dished out 13 assists while posting 9 points and five boards.
Bulacan, backed by Mighty Sports’ Caesar Wongchuking, now leads the North Division with a 6-2 win-loss card.
Last season champs Athletics fell deeper in the losing column in this fifth loss after 7 games.
Moncrief Rogado and Lester Alvarez scored 13 points apiece for the Batangas squad.
In the first game, Basilan Steel outlasted Caloocan Longrich in a decisive second quarter for a 92-84 win.
Former Letran stalwart Dennis Daa missed a double-double shooting 25 points and nine boards as Jojo Tangkay added 11 points.
Steel improve to a 3-4 record as Caloocan drops to 2-5.