Pateros silences Wangs

MANILA, Philippines - Pateros Austen Morris turned back Marikina Wangs, 83-74, to move to solo third and stay in the semifinal hunt in the Filsports Basketball Association Second Conference at Marikina Sports Center Saturday night.

Jawhar Purdy came away with a game-best 32 points he spiked with nine rebounds as the Associates notched their fourth victory against five defeats. They remained too far behind joint leaders Manila and Pampanga, which tote 7-2 cards, but moved ahead of Malolos, Quezon City and Marikina, which pack identical 3-6 slates.

Pateros, headed by owner-playing coach Nic Belasco, hopes to hurdle its last elimination round game to join Pampanga Foton and Manila National University-MFT in the next phase.

The Toplanders downed the Malolos Mighty Bulsu, 80-70, while the Bulldogs ripped the Quezon City University of the Philippines Maroons, 61-42, to remain tied at the helm.

Levi Hernandez fired 28 points for Pampanga Foton while Matt Salem paced Manila NU-MFT with 13 markers.

Meanwhile, the FBA, led by its president and CEO LJ Serrano and Eagle Broadcasting Corporation president Jorge Cabacungan, and Net 25 have forged an agreement to air its games on Net 25 and its affiliate international channels.