MPBL: Bulacan, Makati turn back foes

Things start to get physical during the Bulacan-Rizal encounter. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Bulacan and Makati hurdled their foes in their season openers in the 2018 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup Tuesday night in Baliwag, Bulacan.

The Bulacan Kuyas came back to defeat the visiting Rizal Crusaders, 80-61, in the main event.

Bulacan bucked a slow start where it trailed by as much as 12 in the second quarter but managed to get its bearings together on time.

James Martinez paced the Kuyas with 18 points while JR Taganas churned out a double-double with 10 points and 16 rebounds.

Meanwhile, the Makati Skyscrapers posted a 77-65 victory over the Basilan Steel in their debut.

Philip Paniamogan and Cedric Ablaza combined for 37 points for the Skyscrapers while Rudy Linganay and James Mangahas chipped in 11 apiece.