Strikers prevail

The Bacoor Strikers showed new-found power with a 7555 demolition of the Marikina Shoemasters late Monday and shared the lead with six others in the OKBET-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season at the Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor City.

Spearheaded by Aaron Jeruta, the Strikers pulled away, 67-40, before cruising to their second straight win that pushed them in the company of early winners Batangas City Embassy Chill and Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines and idle teams Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan and Quezon Province.

Batangas was ruthless in a 10455 dumping of Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc., while Zamboanga followed suit with a 77-66 beating of Pasay Voyagers.

The Jaro, Iloilo-born Jeruta, a former Centro Escolar University standout, fired 19 points to go with 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals and was named best player in the nightcap of a triple-bill.