Francis Aquino drilled in 11 of his 17 points in a decisive fourth quarter run by the Patriots, who nearly blew a 15-point lead in the third quarter but put their act together in time to inflict the Eagles their fourth straight setback.
While Aquino, formerly of the Iloilo Megavoltz, virtually anchored the Patriots’ strong finishing kick, it was Dave Bautista who keyed Nueva Ecija’s third quarter attack that had the hosts posting a 75-60 advantage late in the period.
But Davao countered with its own 17-4 run, capped by a putback by Ryan Bernardo that closed the gap at 77-79 before Aquino took over with his big baskets that broke the backs of the Eagles.
Bautista dished out his third straight double-double performance, this time finishing with game-high 25 points and 18 rebounds in a remarkable game he spiked with three assists and one shotblock.
Six Eagles, led by Richard Caliao’s 17 points, finished with double-digit scores but they broke down in defense midway in the fourth, enabling Aquino to frolick with his shots and the Patriots to run away with the victory.
Meanwhile, the Socsargen Marlins threatened not to play again in Cabanatuan unless they are given assurance by the MBA Commissioner’s Office that they would not be robbed again.
Socsargen team owner Ben Solon made this warning the other day in a letter sent to league officials after the Marlins were robbed of valuables worth P50,000.
"We’re constantly coordinating with authorities in Nueva Ecija and we’ll try to talk to the Patriots to provide more security personnel to avoid another incident like this," said MBA deputy commissioner Butch Antonio.
Over in Cebu, the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems got back at the Negros Slashers as they carved out a 97-93 victory before a boisterous home crowd at the Cebu City Coliseum.
The victory thus avenged the Gems’ 95-91 loss to the Slashers in the MBA opener in Bacolod last June 3 and gained them a share of the lead with their victim on identical 5-1 (win-loss) slates. – Joey Villar