Patriots, Lanterns in OT wins

The Paranaque Patriots and the Pampanga Lanterns both went through overtime before emerging victorious in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup Wednesday night at the Olivarez College Gymnasium in Paranaque City.

Drawing firepower from Robin Rono, the Patriots downed the Caloocan Supremos, 94-87, while the Lanterns thwarted Batangas City Athletics, 80-75, the first time that a doubleheader needed extra time in the regional league.

Rono, a former National University Bulldog, made three straight triples while John Abu Ambuludto added two free throws in an 11-point run in overtime that gave the Patriots their fourth win in six starts.

Sizzling from the start, Rono finished with 23 points while Ambuludtu added 20 for the F2 Logistics-supported Patriots.

Arboleda also shone for the Patriots with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists.

Juneric Baloria posted five points in a pivotal 8-1 run starting the extra period to lift the Lanterns to their third win in six games.

The defending champion Athletics suffered their third straight loss and fell to 2-4.

Baloria wound up with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks and was named the game’s best player, edging teammate Michael Juico, who notched 15 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks in an all-around performance.

The Tanduay-backed Athletics got 20 points from Tey Teodoro and 12 from Jhaymo Eguilos, but Val Acuna, their top gunner in the MPBL Anta Rajah Cup, was held to five.

Awful long range shooting spelled disaster for the Athletics, who made just 3 of 28 triple attempts for an 11 percent clip.