Washington unloaded an eight-point splurge in a run that turned a shaky 37-36 halftime lead to a 57-43 third quarter advantage and then came through again with eight points he capped with two straight triples in the final period to anchor the victory. Washington finished with 27 points.
It was the Paint Masters’ seventh win in 10 games and another victory on Saturday over Negros Navigation will create a two-way tie with the loser of the Montaña-Harbour Centre duel tomorrow for the second spot, which will set up a playoff match next week.
The Jewels reeled to their second setback against eight triumphs and will have another chance at clinching the No. 1 spot with a win over the Port Masters, also tomorrow.
Earlier, defending champion Magnolia Ice Cream-FEU made key foul shots down the stretch as it turned back Granny Goose Kornets, 77-73, to keep its hopes for a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals alive.
Starting for the injured Gerard Jones for the second game in a row, Neil Raneses sizzled with 18 points as the Wizards sealed their fifth win against the same number of losses.
The 6-foot-4 Raneses, who played college ball alongside Kornets’ JR Quinahan for Cebu champion University of Visayas, also snared six rebounds and had three shot blocks in a superb all-around performance.
"Even before this game, he has been giving us big numbers both in offense and in defense," said Magnolia coach Koy Banal of his prized cager.
Magnolia takes on Toyota Otis-Letran tomorrow at the La Salle-Greenhills gym shooting for a win and a playoff for the quarterfinal incentive.
Fil-Am Kelly Williams, a big prospect for the Chot Reyes-mentored RP cage squad, also made key contributions with 13 points he highlighted with an alley-oop slam.
Quinahan paced the Snack Masters with 17 points but was held to just a basket in the fourth quarter as the team fell to its sixth loss against four wins.