Cedric Ablaza bounced back from a forgettable performance as he played a near-perfect game to lift Makati to a hard-earned 79-77 win over Davao Occidental in the MPBL Datu Cup Thursday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.

Shackled by Batangas that led to Makati’s first loss, the hardworking forward made all but one of his 10 attempts from the field en route to posting 22 points and eight rebounds.

It was a good way for Ablaza to atone for his paltry performance in the Skyscrapers’ loss to the Athletics, where he was held to just two points on 1-of-9 shooting from the field.

Ablaza worked hard as he made all of his three-point shots and had five points down the stretch, allowing the Skyscrapers to build a 66-59 lead heading into the last five-minute mark.

With the win, Makati improved to 3-1 while handing Davao Occidental its second straight loss.

But Makati’s victory was eclipsed by Rizal’s come-from-behind victory over Laguna as Alvin Vitug finished with 21 points, including the game-winning bucket in the final second of the game, to propel the Crusaders to an 80-79 win over the Heroes in the second game.

Vitug was on spotlight in the last 11 seconds when he was fouled while taking a three-point shot from deep left.

He made two of three shots from the charity stripe to put his team on top, 78-77.

Denok Miranda answered back with a tough drive that put the Heroes ahead with four seconds to go, 79-78, forcing Rizal coach Braulio Lim call a timeout.

Eric Dela Cuesta decided to go strong and feed Vitug at the last minute, who connected a banked shot for the game winner.

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