Makati clustered nine points late in the fourth quarter and stunned defending champion Nueva Ecija, 68-61, on Saturday, July 29, in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season at the University of Saint La Salle Gym in Bacolod City.
*Anthony Bringas delivers for Makati. (MPBL Images)*
The Makati OKBet Kings surged ahead, 65-55, with two minutes and two seconds after that spurt and proceeded to post their 15th win against six losses in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament. Rob Celiz powered Makati with 12 points and nine rebounds, followed by JC Cullar, whose triple capped that pivotal salvo, with 11 points plus four rebounds; Billy Robles with 10 points plus 13 rebounds and Keith Agovida with 10 points. Anthony Bringas also delivered for Makati with eight points plus 11 rebounds that helped the Kings rule the boards, 53-38, and notch 28 points on second chances against only nine for the Rice Vanguards. Nueva Ecija, which slid to 18-3, got 13 points from Michael Juico,11 from Will McAloney and 10 from Roi Sumang. The Kings took a 37-29 halftime lead behind Bringas, who made seven points, and RJ Ramirez, who added six. The MPBL continues its Visayas Invasion in Iloilo on Monday with a doubleheader slated at the City of Passi Arena. GenSan tackles Zamboanga at 6 p.m. and Manila against Iloilo at 8 p.m.
*Anthony Bringas delivers for Makati. (MPBL Images)*
The Makati OKBet Kings surged ahead, 65-55, with two minutes and two seconds after that spurt and proceeded to post their 15th win against six losses in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament. Rob Celiz powered Makati with 12 points and nine rebounds, followed by JC Cullar, whose triple capped that pivotal salvo, with 11 points plus four rebounds; Billy Robles with 10 points plus 13 rebounds and Keith Agovida with 10 points. Anthony Bringas also delivered for Makati with eight points plus 11 rebounds that helped the Kings rule the boards, 53-38, and notch 28 points on second chances against only nine for the Rice Vanguards. Nueva Ecija, which slid to 18-3, got 13 points from Michael Juico,11 from Will McAloney and 10 from Roi Sumang. The Kings took a 37-29 halftime lead behind Bringas, who made seven points, and RJ Ramirez, who added six. The MPBL continues its Visayas Invasion in Iloilo on Monday with a doubleheader slated at the City of Passi Arena. GenSan tackles Zamboanga at 6 p.m. and Manila against Iloilo at 8 p.m.