Winning on the road has never been a problem for Valenzuela.
For the second time this week, the Classic of coach Aldrin Morante found the resolve to hack out another close encounter, pulling off a gripping 74-70 victory this time against Negros in the MPBL Sixth Season.
Andrei Armenion and the returning Chris de Chavez stepped up big, allowing Valenzuela to pick up its fourth win in six games.
Armenion drove hard to the basket to shatter the game’s final deadlock then De Chavez came through with the insurance free throws as they bailed the Classic out of trouble in a game which saw both teams battling through seven deadlocks and 10 lead changes.
De Chavez finished with 17 points, including five triples, while also grabbing eight rebounds.
Fil-Am CJ Payawal came away with a double-double performance of 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Dennis Santos contributed 10 markers.
The MPBL goes to the Olivarez College Gym on Saturday with another triple header pitting San Juan against Pangasinan at 4 p.m., Bacolod against Marikina at 6 p.m. and Davao against Bataan at 8 p.m.
Also winning was Mindoro, which outlasted Iloilo, 77-70, as former PBA player Ken Bono was virtually unstoppable, pumping his way for 25 points to lead the Tamaraws’ charge.
