MANILA – Jopher Custodio drained a go-ahead three-pointer and the Bacolod Master’s Sardines escaped with a 69-68 victory over Biñan City Laguna Heroes in the 2019-2020 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Cup at the Bataan People’s Center.
With the score tied at 66-all after five straight points by Bacolod’s Nico Paolo Javelona, Custodio made sure that his teammate’s effort won’t go to waste. He converted a triple with 44 seconds left for a 69-66 edge.
The Heroes managed to cut the deficit to 68-69 on a layup by Allan Mangahas and had a chance to win the game but Macky Acosta and Kyle Neypes misfired their inside attempts.
Bacolodnon Javelona finished the match with double-double 22 points and 10 assists, while Custodio struggled all game long before draining the crucial triple to finish with five markers.
Mark Jayven Tallo flirted with double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds while John Paul Cauilan had double-double 11 markers and 13 boards for the 4-7 Master’s Sardines.
Neypes was the lone bright spot with 20 points. Mangahas fell short of a triple-double with eight points, eight rebounds and 10 assists for the Heroes, which dropped to 4-8./PN
