Athletics hobble to 1st win

Tanduay Batangas Athletics. Photo from MPBL Facebook

The Batangas City Athletics-Tanduay proved they had more than enough firepower even without key players as they hacked out a 95-90 victory over the Quezon City Capitals-Black Mamba while Caloocan Supremos Longrich also barged into the win column on Wednesday at Caloocan Sports Complex.

New acquisition Bong Galanza had an auspicious debut, firing 28 points on five-of-seven shooting from beyond the arc as the Athletics survived the absence of Val Acuña, Jhaymo Eguilos and Mon Rogado who were all sidelined by illness and injuries.

Deniece Villamor, the former Barangay Ginebra reserve, pumped in 22 points and 13 rebounds as he stepped up in the absence of Eguilos, while Jason Grimaldo and Tey Teodoro also delivered solid performances.

Jojo Duncil finished with 17 points in his debut for the Capitals, who played catchup right from the start.

Later, the Supremos fought back from an early double digit deficit to overcome veteran-laden Pasig Pirates-Gameville, 91-81, and pick up a first win at home.

Former San Beda guard Mar Villahermosa shot 18 points as the Supremos got six players in twin digits to end a five-game slide that dated back to the previous conference.

Jopher Custodio and Cedric Labing-isa added 13 points apiece for the Supremos who trailed by as much as 14 points, 42-56.