BACOOR City is locked and loaded to strike against any opposition in the way as it braces for a big target on its back in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) playoffs.
The Strikers formalized their No. 1 seed finish in the South Division with a 93-65 demolition of also-ran 1Bataan Risers on Tuesday night at the Marikina Sports Center, getting a much-needed morale-booster for an anticipated tough trek to the title.
At 23-5, Bacoor claimed the summit in the South for a homecourt advantage the rest of the way in the division playoffs starting with a best-of-three quarterfinal duel against No. 8 Iloilo United Royals at the Strike Gym this weekend.
All but two players racked up the scoring board for the Strikers with 10 players hitting at least six points in a balanced attack led by Mark Angelo Montuano with 12 points and four rebounds in only 13 minutes of play.
JM Nermal (12) and Alwyn Alday (10) also produced twin figures as Jimboy Pasturan (9), James Kwekuteye (9), Kraniel Villoria (8), Chito Jaime (7), Rocky Acidre (7), Jammer Jamito (6) and Aaron Jeruta (6) contributed for the wards of coach Alex Angeles.
The Strikers’ No. 1 seed finish is an improvement by leaps and bounds from a seventh-place finish in the South Division last season en route to a quarterfinal finish as they head home with pride and honor for the Bacooreños for the bigger picture more than just contending for the national title.
And the Strikers, indeed, will be in a for a serious business starting on Saturday at its own turn in Strike Gym with an expected rousing home crowd for Game 1 of the quarterfinals against the visiting Royals.
There, Bacoor is determined to show sharper fangs as the No. 1 defensive team in the league after limiting the Risers to just 65 points in their final regular season match.
“We take pride in our defense. That’s our bread and butter,” vowed head coach Alex Angeles, who hardly needed the service of team captain Mark Yee against Bataan. — John Bryan Ulanday
