THE Pañeros surged to the top of the IBP basketball league standings after edging the Gilas Defenders, 68-63, last Saturday at the Capitol Parish gym.
Benedict Salizon and Ray Vince Binag scored 15 points apiece for the Pañeros who have now won six straight games.
Salizon gave the Pañeros some breathing room in the tight first half by scoring 10 of his 15 points in that stretch. Gilas Defenders managed to stay close to the rampaging Pañeros behind the perimeter wizard Van Ligutan.
Prized rookie Binag then put on a show in the second half with a rare double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds, his first this season.
Franklin Manching, the Pañeros’ undisputed king beyond the arc, also inflicted heavy damage on their opponents by burying four trifectas for 12 points. He also dished six assists.
Ligutan led the Gilas Defenders with 18 markers and 8 rebounds while Tope Ang added 12 points for the Defenders who dropped to 4-2 in the standings.
Meanwhile, the Rebels toppled the Subzero Idols, 63-59, behind Luke Fernandez’s game-high 20 points
Box scores:
Pañeros 68 – Salizon 15, Binag 15, Manching 12, Molde 7, Saornido 7, Busi 6, Balorio 2, Dinopol 2, Majarocon 2.
Gilas Defenders 63 – Ligutan 18, Ang 12, Remedio 8, Juban 8, Sevilla 4, Guieb 4, Lagahit 4, Solis 3, Velez 2. /PR