Manila snaps Bacoor City's MPBL winning streak

The Manila Stars defeated the Bacoor City Strikers 78-74 on the road at the STRIKE Gym in Bacoor on Monday night, ending the Strikers' eight-game winning streak in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Season.

Manila established control in the third quarter, building a 19-point lead (61-42) with six minutes left in the period. Bacoor City mounted a comeback, reducing the deficit to three points (65-62) with 7:45 remaining in the fourth quarter. However, Manila regained composure and secured the victory. After the win, Manila coach Tino Pinat acknowledged his team became complacent, stating they "just walked when we were supposed to run" during Bacoor's rally.

Aris Dionisio led the Stars with 22 points, six rebounds, and two blocks. Carlo Lastimosa contributed 17 points, five rebounds, and three assists. The win improved Manila's record to 24-5, placing them half a game behind the Northern Division-leading San Juan Knights. RJ Ramirez scored 15 points for Bacoor, who chose to sit out Gab Banal after his arrival from Dubai earlier that day.

Bacoor's loss created an opportunity for the Davao Occidental Tigers to claim the top seed in the Southern Division outright. The Tigers secured an 86-79 victory over the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards earlier on Monday. Davao Occidental gradually pulled away, opening a 12-point lead (73-61) with 4:49 left and maintained control.

Mark Yee and Bonbon Custodio each scored 16 points for the Tigers. The win elevated Davao Occidental's record to 24-4, giving them a 1.5-game lead over Bacoor for the top spot in the South. Davao Occidental can clinch the top seed by defeating Biñan City on Wednesday night or if Bacoor loses to Iloilo in the preceding game.

For Nueva Ecija, Zags Gonzaga scored 23 points and Maclean Sabellina added 14 points and 11 rebounds. The Rice Vanguards finished their season with a 10-20 record.