Harbour Centre picked up its seventh straight victory with a 94-76 rout of Magnolia Purewater last night as the Batang Pier firmed up their hold of the lead in the 2009 PBL PG Flex Linoleum Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Batang Pier, who went through anxious moments before escaping with a 76-75 win in the first round, rode on a big second quarter run to outscore the Wizards, 25-12, then sustained their charge in the second half to win pulling away.
Top gun Reed Juntilla lived up to the hype and fired 22 points, scoring the bulk of his output in the second and third quarters when the Batang Pier surged ahead after trailing in the opening period.
“They were a bit rusty at the start due to a week-long break. But we picked up the pace in the second period when we play good defense,” said Harbour coach Jorge Gallent.
The Wizards fell to 6-2.
Earlier, rookie Rudy Lingganay stepped up to fire 18 points as Bacchus Energy stunned Burger King, 78-64.
Lingganay, a backup for Marcy Arellano and James Martinez, played the lead role this time, churning out a conference-high 18-point output while making four rebounds, two assists and two steals to help Bacchus end a three-game losing skid.
The 22-year-old Lingganay scattered 11 points in the first half as the Energy Warriors seized control early then sustained their charge in the second half to score a wire-to-wire triumph, their third against six losses.
The Stunners reeled to their fourth straight defeat for a 2-5 record.
“I know he could come up with something but then he’s too young and too raw,” said Bacchus coach Lawrence Chongson. “But today he proved he could deliver.”
Martinez was held to just three points while Arellano, who is playing for Burger King, tallied 10 points, seven assists, five rebounds but had seven turnovers.
“I told the boys it’s a must win game for us,” Chongson said. “We’ll be way behind the third and fourth placed teams had we lost.”