AICC Manila downed MTrans Batangas City, 81-78, to seize the solo lead in the FilBasket Subic Championship at the Subic Gym Tuesday, Nov. 9.
Chris Bitoon and Hesed Gabo fired 18 and 12 points for AICC Manila, who notched its seventh win in eight outings.
MTrans tried to cut its 817-74 deficit in the last one and a half minute by draining six straight points, but ran out of time.
Jeff Viernes erupted for 32 points in a futile attempt for MTrans, who stumbled to 3-4.
Meanwhile, the San Juan Knights clobbered the Muntinlupa Defenders, 92-66, to improve their win-loss record to 5-2 at third place.
Jun Manzo and Paolo Hernandez led the Knights with 16 and 12 points, while Arvin Gamboa and Christian Bunag chipped in 11 points each.
The Knights led by as many as 31 points midway the fourth period after Hernandez drove a layup, 83-52, and maintained that game tempo throughout.
Muntinlupa absorbed its seventh straight loss in as many outings despite Thomas Torres scoring 20 points.
Meanwhile, Pasig Sta. Lucia toppled Medical Depot, 78-65, to fan its winning streak to three games and improve to 4-3.
Cedrick Ablaza powered the Realtors with 18 points and nine rebounds while Rudy Lingganay also paced with 18 points, five boards and four assists.
Egie Boy Mojica and Dawn Ochea combined for 26 points while Simon Camacho hauled 13 rebounds on top of seven points, but their efforts went futile as Medical Depot skidded to 3-4 to tie with MTrans.