The Marikina Shoemasters bested the Bataan Risers, 80-72, on Saturday, June 15, to rev up their drive in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the University of Bangued Gymnasium in Abra.

Riding on Eric Joseph Pili's long-range shooting, Marikina posted its second straight win and raised its record to 3-10 in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.

Pili, a 6-foot-3 forward from St. Benilde, tallied 25 points, including five triples, four rebounds, three steals and two assists to earn best player honors.

He was supported by Joe Gomez De Liano with 12 points, nine rebounds and two assists, Sidney Mosqueda with 11 points and four steals, homegrown Jethro Escoto with 11 points, and homegrown Jomel Landayan with 10 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Bataan, which skidded to 4-9, got 15 points and eight rebounds from Mitchelle Maynes, 10 points plus 11 rebounds from Jamil Gabawan and 12 points plus two rebounds from Yves Sazon.

Marikina surged ahead, 50-40, and never fell back even as Bataan managed to knot the count at 58-58.

The MPBL goes to the Alonte Sports Arena on Monday, June 17 with games pitting Bacolod against Pangasinan at 4 p.m., Muntinlupa against San Juan at 6 p.m. and Binan against Bulacan at 8 p.m.