Cavite neighbors Bacoor and Imus took different routes toward victories in the OKbet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Fifth Season at the Batangas City Coliseum on Monday.

The Bacoor Strikers cruised past the Oriental Mindoro Disiplinados, 95-76, while the Imus SV Squad struggled past the Sarangani Marlins, 90-87, in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.

Bacoor, powered by Jammer Jamito, posted its 21st win against four losses and tightened its hold on the top spot in the South division.

Jamito, who scored 19 points and snagged five rebounds, got support from veterans Chito Jaime, with 11 points plus four rebounds, and Mark Yee, with eight points plus 15 rebounds that enabled the Strikers to rule the boards, 52-35.

Mindoro, which tumbled to 4-21, got 14 points, nine assists and five rebounds from Paolo Hubalde, 15 points and four rebounds from Tey Teodoro and 10 points plus five rebounds from Khen Osicos.

Unlike Bacoor, Imus needed to fend off Sarangani's final assault en route to its 12th win in 24 starts.