By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Quezon City Black Bulls sustained their climb with a 93-83 victory over Bacolod Masskara in the SportsPlus Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) at the Pasay Astrodome.

Powered by Ryan Cosetelo and Kobe Monje, the Black Bulls led by as many as 79-68, before Masskara clawed to within 74-79 with three minutes and 38 seconds left.

That proved to be Bacolod’s last stand, however, as Costelo, Monje and CJ Agoncillo put up finishing touches in their third straight win after dropping the first two in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 28-team tournament.

It was MJ Joson, a prized find from Manila Central University, who was chosen the SportsPlus best player following an all-around effort of six points, 14 rebounds, 14 assists, and three rebounds for Quezon City.

Monje posted 18 points and five rebounds; Costelo had 17 points, six rebounds and four assists; Aeron Baguno chipped in 10 points, four rebounds and two assists; while Rey Publico scored 10 points plus three rebounds.

Bacolod tumbled to its fourth straight defeat after an initial win despite the 23-point, eight-rebound, eight-assist effort of Emman Galman; John Kobe Dalisay’s 19 points, five assists, two rebounds, and two assists; and Marjun Wahing’s 19 points and two assists.

The Black Bulls ruled the boards, 51-38, and converted this to more points in the paint, 46-30, as well as fastbreaks, 22-11./ASC, WDJ