Pangasinan beats Bataan in 7th MPBL opener, 95-86
THE Pangasinan Heatwaves started strong in their debut match to outclass the Bataan Risers in the 7th season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, 95-86, last March 10 at the Robert Estrella Sr. Memorial Stadium in Rosales, Pangasinan.
In the opening frame, Heatwaves’ new acquisition, Vic Manuel, made his presence felt early in the game drilling five points from the painted area to establish an early 23-21 lead.
Bataan straightaway responded with their outside shooting, posting-up four 3-point conversions in the second period to snatch the lead, 47-41.
Heading to the third period, Manuel anchored the Heatwaves’ offensive load with seven points to rally, but the Risers continued to pour down from beyond the arc and tallied four 3-point connections in an uprising led by Chris Javier with two triples to sustain the lead, 68-74.
Trailing 84-86 at the fourth with two minutes remaining, the Heatwaves turned the tide through the collective efforts of Manuel, Michael Mabulac, and Lervin Flores to combine with six points to notch the first win of Pangasinan in the 7th MPBL season.
Manuel towed Pangasinan with 23 points, three assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block to gain the best player honors in his MPBL debut.
Jorey Napoles added 20 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, plus the double-double output of Mabulac with 10 points and 13 boards.
Bataan drew 12 points from Yves Sazon, 12 markers from Jeff Santos, and 11 points apiece from Robbi Darang and Javier.
The Pangasinan Heatwaves saw action next against Bulacan Kuyas on March 14 at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna. (Kim Gealogo)
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