The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Sarangani withstood Mindoro’s final assault and prevailed, 99-83, on Friday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Wes Arena in Valenzuela City.
The Marlins pulled away, 79-56, before the third quarter ended, only to see the Tamaraws charge back furiously in the last 10 minutes.
Led by Art Desiderio, the Tamaraws clustered 18 points to knot the count at 91.
Sarangani, however, held its ground as Ryan Sual and Adven Diputado sustained their fiery showing and Felix John Villarente scored the game’s final four points.
Sual drilled in his sixth triple and wound up with 24 points, while Diputado added a charity to raise his total to 22 with 6 points and 4 assists as Sarangani rebounded from its 80-90 loss to Batan on April 8.
Coy Aves was the other Marlin in twin digits with 14 plus 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
Mindoro, which fell to 1-1, drew 15 points, 3 reboudns and 3 steals from Rodel Vaygan, 12 points and 7 rebounds from Lester Reyes, 11 points and 4 assists from Andrew Estrella, and 10 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists from Kint Ariar.
Art Desiderio and Karl Bono added nine points each for the Tamaraws.
The Marlins got a lift from their long distance shooting, making 14 of 29 triple tries, and foul shooting, converting 15 of 18 attempts.
The MPBL visits the Batangas City Coliseum on Saturday, with Manila battling Bulacan at 4 p.m., Paranaque tackling South Cotabato at 6 p.m., and Iloilo clashing with Batangas at 8 p.m.