Bernabe Teodoro completed a 3-point play to help the Batangas City Athletics—Tanduay outlast the Muntinlupa Cagers—Angelis Resort 70-64 to open their best-of-5 title series in the MPBL Anta Rajah Cup at a jampacked Batangas City Coliseum Thursday night.

The Athletics were up, 65-64, with 54 seconds to go when Teodoro scored on a layup and sank the bonus free throw off a foul, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Game 2 is on Saturday at the same venue.

Teodoro, a former Jose Rizal University varsity player, came off the bench to lead all scorers with 20 points, including 4 3-pointers. The Athletics got 14 points from Val Acuna, who also connected on 4 shots from behind the arc.

“Kinausap ako nina coach na kailangan kong tulungan sina kuya Val, buti nagawa ko,” Teodoro said.

Batangas engaged Muntinlupa in a low-scoring game, holding the visiting team to just 44 points in the first 3 quarters.

The Cagers, however, made a furious 10-0 run in the fourth to make it 64-all, after Dhon Reverente’s undergoal stab with 1:09 left on the game clock.

After sinking a free throw, Teodoro sprang a surprise with that crucial layup that translated into a 3-point play.

Dave Moralde led the Cagers with 12 points, while Allan Mangahas chipped in 11.

Teodoro thanked the Batangueños who were at the coliseum.

“Dagdag sipag sa amin 'pag sumisigaw sila, mas lalo kaming ginaganahan,” he said.

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