Unheralded guard John Rey Villanueva scattered 22 points as Makati thumped Laguna, 76-65, on Wednesday night at Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City to match the longest winning streak in the MPBL Datu Cup.
Villanueva, who struggled to make the varsity teams of San Beda and Perpetual Help in recent years, spearheaded the Super Crunch’s ferocious showing against the Heroes, whose playoff aspirations are now hanging by a thread.
The Super Crunch climbed to second spot in the North division with a 20-4 card as they matched the Bataan Risers’ 14-game winning streak earlier this season. Makati hopes to break the record in Valenzuela on Monday when it clashes with Quezon City, which will be looking to seal a playoff spot in their clash.
Villanueva also had 11 rebounds, five assists and four steals in an all-around performance, while Jeckster Apinan and Ced Ablaza finished with 15 and 10 points, respectively, for the Super Crunch.
The Capitals leaned on Jay Collado and Hesed Gabo to bounce back with an emphatic 80-71 victory over the Imus Bandera in the second game.
Collado delivered 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Gabo tallied 14 points and issued 11 assists. Mon Mabayo also stepped up for the Capitals with a season-high 13 points.
“We really needed this win,” said Quezon City coach Vis Valencia, whose team tightened its grip on sixth spot in the North division with an 11-11 record. “We can still improve heading into the playoffs.”