Batangas City banked on a four-cornered attack to thwart Negros, 72-62, on Wednesday, May 8, and rev up its drive in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

Drawing firepower from Jeckster Apinan, Mark Cruz, Cedric Ablaza and RJ Ramirez, the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters pulled way at halftime, 37-22, and proceeded to tally their fifth victory against a loss in the elimination round of the country's top regional league.

Apinan collected 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals, Cruz 13 points plus seven rebounds, Ablaza 11 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, and Ramirez 10 points plus three rebounds for the MPBL inaugural titlists in 2018.

MJ Dela Virgen also did his share with nine points and seven assists for Batangas, which pulled down Negros to the lower half of the standings at 3-4.

The Muscovados got 20 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals from Renz Palma and 10 points plus two rebounds and two steals from Jeremy Cruz.

South Cotabato wasted a 20-point spread but held on to beat Bulacan, 85-82, in the second game and improve to 4-3.

John Wilson fired 29 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Warriors, who also drew 10 points and 10 rebounds from Chris Dumapig.

Bulacan slumped to 1-6 despite the 25-point, 10-assist, 8-rebound, 4-steal effort of Paolo Hubalde and the 24-point, 7-rebound, 2-steal output of Nino Ibanez.

The MPBL goes to the FilOil Flying V Arena on Thursday with Quezon City battling Mindoro at 4 p.m., Iloilo tackling Bicol at 6 p.m. and Abra tangling with San Juan at 8 p.m.