The Parañaque Patriots withstood the Valenzuela Classic’s final assault to prevail, 76-73, in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Datu Cup at Angeles University Foundation Arena in Angeles City, Pampanga, Wednesday night.

Led by Mac Montilla and Ryusei Koga, the Patriots led by as many as 18 points, 71-53, with 4:28 left in the fourth quarter, but had to quash the Classic’s determined effort to turn the game around.

The Classic, held to a single field goal in a 6-minute stretch in the third quarter, moved to within 74-70 through the efforts of Paolo Hubalde and Mel Mabagat.

Though the outcome was sealed, 76-70, with just 2.7 seconds to go, it didn’t stop the Classic’s Rocky Acidre from knocking down a buzzer-beating triple for the final count.

Now handled by new coach Eric Samson, the Patriots, being supported by F2 Logistics, drew 20 points from Montilla, a 6-foot-1 guard, 14 from former San Beda Red Lion Koga, and 12 from veteran gunner Jemar Vizcarra.

The Classic, being backed by CDO Idol Cheesedog and steered by former PBA head coach Chris Gavina, were hampered by their poor free throw shooting, making just 14 of 25 attempts for a low 56 percent conversion rate.

The Patriots, with Montilla and Jezcarra at the firing end, took the halftime lead, 39-34.

With Montilla sniping from afar and beefy 6-foot-1 Ivan Villanueva contributing inside, the Patriots pulled away, 61-45.

On Thursday, the Muntinlupa Cagers and the Marikina Shoemasters will dispute the solo lead at 9 p.m. in the South division at Muntinlupa Sports Complex.

The Cebu City Sharks and Bacoor Strikers make their maiden appearances in the 7 p.m. opener.

The Cagers, last year’s losing finalist to the Batangas City Athletics, thwarted the General Santos Warriors, 88-81, while the Shoemasters, powered by the league-record 33 points of Yves Sason, stunned the Ray Parks-led Mandaluyong El Tigre, 86-74, in the inaugurals on June 12.

Also with 1-0 records in the South are the Athletics, Davao Occidental Tigers and the Zamboanga Valientes. The North division pacesetters at 1-0 are the Caloocan Supremos, Bulacan Kuyas, Makati Skyscrapers, Manila Stars and Navotas Clutch.

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)