General Santos City sustained its deadly form as it booked a 96-87 win over Muntinlupa in the OKbet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 4th Season late Saturday at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
The Warriors stormed ahead, 40-19, before dictating the tempo the rest of the way to secure their fifth straight win with a 9-5 win-loss card in the single round robin of this 22-team tournament.
Mark Cruz, the smallest guy on the court at 5-foot-6, played the biggest role for the Warriors, firing a game-high 29 points, eight assists and three rebounds.
He was backed by Dhon Reverente with 16 points and 12 rebounds, Nico Elorde with 13 markers and Nikko Panganiban with 12.
Actor Gerald Anderson also displayed flashes of brilliance, chipping in seven markers in 13 minutes of action.
Harold Arboleda erupted for 27 points and 10 rebounds while Domark Matillano added 14 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Cagers, who suffered their ninth loss in 11 games.
Meanwhile, Caloocan dominated Manila, 80-69, while Laguna subdued Mindoro, 82-74, in a battle of also-ran teams.
Damian Lasco fired 20 points, six rebounds and four assists while James Martinez and Buenaventura Raflores chipped in 14 markers apiece for the Excellence.
On the other hand, Ronnie Matias delivered 17 points and 18 rebounds for the Stars, who skidded to 6-10.
Laguna, which improved to 2-12, drew 20 points from Mico Bren Pallares, 15 from Paolo Pontejos and 11 each from Floyd Dedicatoria and Darius Duane Estrella.
Mindoro (1-14) got 20 points each from DrakeSantos and Marlon John Espiritu and 12 from Khen Osicos.
