PBL: Batang Pier defeats Road Kings, 103-86

Defending champion Harbour Centre tied Hapee Toothpaste on top of the standings of the V-Go Extreme Energy Drink Cup after defeating Toyota Balintawak, 103-86, Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. In the first game, Filipino American Gabe Norwood led Hapee Toothpaste in blasting Bacchus Energy, 95-89. The league said that the Batang Pier and Complete Protector are tied with 4-0 mark. The game between two of the league's top teams was tight for the first two quarters, with the score tied at 42 by halftime. But the Batang Pier went on a scoring rampage beginning the second half, outscoring the Road Kings, 34-18, in the third period to take a 76-60 lead with a full quarter to go. Toyota-Balintawak, which fell to 2-3 overall, shot a woeful 1-of-12 from the floor during that stretch. It also committed 14 turnovers in the second half alone. Scores: Harbour Centre (106) - Vergara 17, Mercado 17, Maierhofer 14, Tang 13, Ababou 12, Gaco 9, Gonzales 5, Jahnke 5, Taylor 4, Gamboa 4, Dizon 3, Canizares 0. Toyota Balintawak (86) - Sta. Maria 21, Villanueva 13, Sena 10, Jaime 8, Casio 5, Rodriguez 5, Aldave 5, Alcaraz 5, Guerrero 5, Hayes 4, Balgos 2, Cole 2, Walsham 1, Dedicatoria 0, Retaga 0. Quarterscores: 19-18; 42-42; 76-60; 103-86.