The Bacoor Strikers struck hard from all fronts and routed the Batangas City Embassy Chill Athletics, 89-68, in Game 1 of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Fifth Season South Division Finals last Monday at the Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor City.
Powered by James Kwekuteye, Jhan McHale Nermal and Yvan Ludovice, who drilled in back-to-back triples, the Strikers recovered from a 6-10 deficit to surge ahead after the first quarter, 27-18, and never let up to move within a win of clinching their first crown in the 29-team league.
Kwekuteye posted 25 points, laced by six triples, four steals and three rebounds to earn best player honors. The former San Beda star was supported by Nermal with 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocks, and veteran Mark Yee with 10 points, 10 rebounds and fourassists. Ludovice contributed nine points, all from rainbow territory, four rebounds and four assists.
The Strikers drilled in four straight triples, two by Kwekuteye and one each by Ludovice and Aaron Jeruta, to break the game apart, 45-26, late in the second quarter.
Batangas’ Cedric Ablaza buried a triple, but the Strikers countered with a six-point cluster for a 51-29 bulge at halftime.
Jhaymo Eguilos, a former key player for Batangas, capped a six-point run with two free throws to shove Bacoor to its biggest spread, 64-37, with three minutes and ten seconds to go in the third quarter.
