Batangas and Navotas pulled off contrasting wins on Saturday night to stay on top in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Anta Rajah Cup.
Former University of the East star Val Acuña joined forces with big man Jhaymo Eguilos in a big second half show to help the Batangas Athletics beat the Bataan Defenders, 88-73, for their second straight win in the tournament bankrolled by Sen. Manny Pacquiao with 1998 PBA MVP Kenneth Duremdes as commissioner.
Batangas’ win negated the 32-point performance of many-time PBA scoring champion Gary David.
Acuña tallied 13 points while Eguilos finished with a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds as Batangas followed up its 73-65 win over Valenzuela last week.
Not to be outdone were the Navotas Clutch, who nipped the Bulacan Kuyas, 77-76, in overtime.
Gino Jumao-as, a former University of the East player, had 16 points to lead the Clutch who also improved to 2-0.