Patriots catch MPBL leaders

MANILA, Philippines — Parañaque’s outside gunners clicked in the fourth quarter as the Patriots subdued the Iloilo United Royals, 72-66, last Thursday for a share of the lead in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Caloocan Sports Complex.

Getting a triple each from JR Villanueva, JP Sarao, Keith Pido and Jielo Razon, the Patriots surged ahead, 70-69, with only two minutes and 17 seconds left en route to their third win in as many starts in the elimination round of the country’s top regional league.

Villanueva finished with 19 points, including seven in the last 10 minutes, followed by Pido with 17 as Parañaque matched the 3-0 slates of Zamboanga and Negros.

Iloilo staged its final rally but fell short and dropped to 1-2.

Earlier, AC Soberano powered debuting San Juan to a 101-73 rout of Marikina, which dropped to 0-4.