MANILA, Philippines – Manila NU-MFT turned back Malolos Mighty Bulsu, 62-60, to seize a share of the lead with Pampanga Foton in the Filsports Basketball Association Second Conference at the Marikina Sports Complex Tuesday.
Issa Gayle played like man possessed with game-highs 23 points and 20 rebounds as the Bulldogs nailed their fifth victory against a defeat and caught up with the Toplanders, who fell to Pateros Austen Morris Associates, 91-93.
Nic Belasco, a former PBA star who owns and coaches the team, teamed up with Jawar Purdy and Chris Cofield in combined for 68 points that propelled the Associates to forge a four-way logjam for third spot on identical 2-4 (win-loss) records.
It included the Marikina Wangs Deliverers, who brought down First Conference champion Quezon City UP, 90-82, with Cedric Labing-isa and Kojak Melegrito leading the way by unloading 20 and 18 points, respectively.
The other two teams in the chase group were the Maroons and the Mighty Bulsu.
Levi Hernandez and Michael Rosaroso scored 18 points apiece for the Tornadoes, who were up by a point in the stretch but blew it in the end.
The games are televised via Aksyon TV, Aksyon International, Net 25, Net International Channel and Fox Sports International.