The Bataan Risers pulled away early in the fourth quarter and went on to subdue the Muntinlupa Cagers, 91-83, Friday in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League at the packed Orion Sports Complex in Bataan.
A triple each by Julius Garcia and James Darwin Castro sandwiched six straight points by Kristoffer Torrado as the Risers surged ahead, 82-67, en route to their eighth win against four losses.
The Risers took their biggest lead at 87-71 following jumpers by Dante Paguio and Torrado.
The Cagers fell to 2-6.
Quezon City MG Cars edged Caloocan Victory Liner, 81-78, in the opener, while Bacoor routed depleted Manila, 102-65.
Castro again emerged as Bataan’s top gun with 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists, followed by Torrado with 12 points, 9 assists, and 3 rebounds.
Muntinlupa got 15 points and 4 assists from John Cantimbuhan.
Quezon City, powered by Kyle Drexler Neypes’ 18 points and 14 rebounds, leveled its record at 6-6.
Caloocan tumbled to 3-8 despite the 23-point, 11-rebound effort of Jomar Santos.
Mark Montuano led Bacoor to a 5-6 slate with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Manila, which showed up with only eight players, fell to 6-8.
