Relentless Reverente empowers Pasay to defeat Batangas

The Pasay Voyagers ran behind Dhon Reverente to overcome the Batangas City Athletics-Tanduay, 72-61, in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Lakan Cup at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Reverente was a monster all throughout, stamping a 26 point, 15 rebound performance to give Pasay its second-straight win after their four-game skid.

Raymund Ilagan was also instrumental, giving Pasay 15 points and six boards as they held steady in the waning moments.

Meanwhile, Jeff Viernes had 17 points, four rebounds and four assists and Jason Melano had 10 points and seven rebounds, all in a losing effort.

Reverente was relentless to open the game with eight points, all of which came from layups, to give Pasay a 15-9 lead in the 4:01 minute mark of the first quarter.

However, they went scoreless in the remainder of the quarter as Moncrief Rogado delivered a triple before the buzzer to make it, 20-15, in favor of Batangas.

Pasay's defense was still bleeding until the six minute mark of the second frame as Batangas managed to erect an 11-point lead. Refusing to go down big at the half, Ilagan conspired for a mini-run for the Voyagers as they came close as four points, 31-35.

Reverente was a one-man wrecking crew in the third, leading the fast break charge of their side to give them a taste of the lead, 40-35. Jesse Bustos' layup at the end of the third gave Pasay a 55-46 lead.

Jason Melano tried to will Batangas back to the game, asserting their power in the paint, 57-63, but Axel Inigo's bail-out three-pointer was the dagger for Pasay, 68-59, with 2:25 minutes remaining.

Batangas will take on the Rizal Xentro Mall Golden Coolers next on August 13 at the Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor City, Cavite while Pasay will have a long layoff before hosting Rizal on August 19 at the Cuneta Astrodome.