MPBL: Navotas nips Caloocan

Navotas Clutch. Photo from Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

Navotas proved to be the steadier team down the stretch as it hacked out a 59-55 win over Caloocan in the 2018 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup Wednesday at Bataan People’s Center in Bataan.

Ron Dennison and Levi Hernandez flourished late as they accounted for the Clutch’s last seven points inside the final three minutes.

Hernandez nailed a 3-pointer to put Navotas in front for good, 55-53, with 2:39 left before Dennison kept Caloocan at bay with back-to-back baskets.

The Clutch rose to 2-0 while the Supremos dropped to 1-1.

It was an offensive struggle for both teams with Navotas shooting only 33 percent from the field and Caloocan hitting only 28 percent.

Hernandez led all scorers with 15 points on 4-of-15 shooting while Dennison added 12.

JR Cawaling had a team-high 13 points on 5-of-16 shooting for the Supremos.