Asi Taulava led the balanced attack by the Nationals with 18 points, snapping a scoring slump in this four-nation six-team tournament.
Averaging only 7.5 points per game in the first two matches, the 2003 PBA Most Valuable Player asserted himself early, pouring 10 of his total output in the first quarter that ignited the expected breakaway by the Nationals.
Seven other RP cagers netted double figures in scoring as the team improved to 2-1 and will next play the unbeaten South Koreans Wednesday night in a crucial contest.
"This game is really our preparation for the SK Knights that’s why I gave everyone a lot of minutes and have a chance to run and sweat," said RP mentor Chot Reyes.
"SK Knights is really a tough team. I think they have a perfect import in Wesley Wilson that allows the Koreans to play in the three-point area while Wilson takes care of the inside," Reyes added.
The Nationals must win their match against the Koreans to have a better spot in the knockout crossover semifinal round. They have the Alaska Aces as their final assignment in the elimination round on Thursday.
Nic Belasco added 15 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists while Rafi Reavis chipped in 13. Kerby Raymundo, Romel Adducul and Dondon Hontiveros had 12 apiece.
Renren Ritualo and Billy Mamaril had 11 points each for the Nationals, who grabbed their second straight win after dropping their opener to the Japanese, 80-89, Saturday night.
Former Jose Rizal University Bomber Randel dela Rea led the Warriors, a selection of Filipino players based here, with 15 points all beyond the arc.
The Warriors All-Star, a late replacement for the Indonesian national team which was barred to join the tournament by their national sports association as the league was not sanctioned by FIBA, fell to 0-3.
The SK Knights, which pulled an 85-82 escape over the Alaska two nights ago, was now tied with the Toshiba Brave Thunders of Japan, the reigning champion in the JBL Super League, with 3-0 win-loss card each.
The Japanese beat another Filipino squad by turning back the Aces, 78-69, in the second game of the day to remain unscathed in the cagefest which offers $20,000 to the champion.
Alaska actually started hot with a 14-4 lead but Toshiba answered back with its own 14-4 burst to end the first period at 18-all.
Tom Kleinschmidt and center Enkin Suo took charge and gave Brave Thunders a 42-32 halftime lead while other import Frederick Lewis, who played for Sta. Lucia in the PBA mid-90s, found his range in the third period to give this team a commanding 64-42 lead, 1:52 left in the third.
The Aces, who muffed 14 free throws in the match, closed in at 58-69 but Lewis hit a jumper and Yuta Miyanaga sank two free throws to put the game beyond doubt, 73-58, 3:45 remaining.
Import Artemus ‘Tee’ MacClary had 22 points and 4 boards for the Alaska, which dropped to 1-2. Reynel Hugnatan and Brandon Cablay contributed 11 and 10 markers, respectively.