MANILA, Philippines – Four days ago, the alert level of Taal Volcano was downgraded to Level 3. With this development, some Batangueños decided to return to their homes.

And the Batangas-Tanduay Athletics, who has been fighting non-stop for better positioning in the Chooks-to-Go/MPBL Lakan Season playoffs, made sure to give their folks the perfect homecoming.

In their first home game since the Taal crisis, the Athletics eked out a thrilling 70-66 victory over the visiting Marikina Shoemasters in front of a raucous home crowd at the Batangas State University on Wednesday.

Jeff Viernes took over in crunch time, drilling a triple that gave them a 67-64 lead. Yves Sazon and the Shoemasters came within one point, but Viernes split his charities for a 68-66 spread with 6.2 seconds to go.

• READ: Batangas edges Marikina in first home game since Taal eruption

On the other end, Jason Melano denied Sazons three-point attempt before Viernes iced the game at the end of regulation with two free throws.

"Every win is sweet. We need it. This is sweeter for the Batangas people, it's really for them," said Athletics head coach Woody Co, who vowed to dedicate their remaining games to the people of Batangas and the late Bong Tan.

"I'm very happy na masaya sila ngayon… Something na at least positive, 'di ba, after what happened," he added.

Jhaymo Eguilos, who has been with Batangas ever since the inaugural season, is just glad to give their home crowd something to celebrate during these testing times.

"Ako masayang masaya ako kasi kahit papaano, 'yung lungkot nila at 'yung trauma nila kahit papaano nabawasan. Nabigyan namin sila ng kasiyahan," said Eguilos, who had 13 points and 7 rebounds.

"Lahat kami humuhugot ng lakas sa mga taga-Batangas, buong Batangas province para sa kanila 'yung game namin," he added.

In other games, Yankie Haruna’s late baskets propelled Bacolod-Master’s Sardines to a 83-78 win over Valenzuela-Carga Backload Solutions, while Davao Occidental-Cocolife handed Muntinlupa-Angelis Resort a rude exit, 106-90

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