Ex-PBA player powers Bataan to 4th MPBL win; Munti-Navotas match halted

Former Philippine Basketball Association player Byron Villarias exploded for a career-best 25 points as Bataan turned back Imus, 95-85, for its fourth straight win but the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Datu Cup doubleheader at Navotas Sports Complex ended in bizarre fashion on Saturday night.

The Risers squandered a 19-point first half lead, trailed briefly in the third canto, before recovering their bearings after a flurry of treys from Villarias, who shot 5-of-7 from beyond the arc.

“We focused on getting better defensively in the fourth quarter,” said Villarias after Bataan improved to 4-1.
“Imus gave us a tough time but we recovered in time.”

Unfinished game

The night however ended in strange fashion as the Muntinlupa-Navotas duel turned out to be the first overtime game of the tournament only to be stopped after the rim was broken.

The unbeaten Cagers were ahead, 98-95, with 1:35 left in the overtime period when Navotas forward Kyle Neypes’ triple forced the rim to break.

MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes said the game will be rescheduled at the point of stoppage during the final day of the elimination round.

“We’re going to reschedule the game since the venue is not playable,” Duremdes said.

“Aside from the fact that the rim is broken, the court is slippery. The safety of our players should be given more importance.”

However, the league will no longer continue the game if it won’t affect the standings anymore.

“Let’s say both teams are vying for a quotient or placing for the playoffs, we will continue the match with the remaining time and the same score,” Duremdes said.

Improvements needed

Duremdes, the PBA Most Valuable Player in 1998, also wants the Navotas Clutch to improve their playing venue.

“They have to improve the playing venue. Otherwise, we will not hold any more games here,” added Duremdes.