MANILA – Bacolod BingoPlus suffered another defeat in the 2022 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Season. It lost, 67-57, to Rizal Golden Coolers over the weekend at the Bren Guiao Convention Center in Pampanga.
The loss was stinging for the Alex Angeles-mentored Bacolodnons as they dropped to 7-6 win-loss slate dimming their hopes of finishing within top four in the Southern Division standings.
Laurenz Victoria was hailed as the Player of the Game after finishing with 16 points, including four outside conversions, as the Golden Coolers improved to 8-4 win-loss record.
Troy Mallillin returned from a one-game absence to finish with 16 markers, while Keanu Abraham Caballero contributed 12 markers, mostly in the fourth quarter, for the Golden Coolers.
The Bacolodnons were on top early 10-9 behind back-to-back three-pointers from Albert Dionson but the Golden Coolers charged back with back-to-back hits from Jeric Serrano and Jordan Rios to take a 13-10 lead.
Both teams were still in tight exchange for most part of the second quarter until the Golden Coolers pulled away late with three-point conversions from Victoria and Brandrey Bienes for a 35-27 halftime lead.
Rizal continued to pour it on at the onset of third canto as inside hits by Mallillin and Mark Benitez gave them a huge 45-29 lead before Bacolod came up with late baskets to come within 39-48.
The Bacolodnon extended its run in the fourth quarter as they cut the deficit to 52-53 via an Alwyn Alday triple but consecutive shots by Caballero and a three-pointer by Mallillin allowed Rizal to pull away for good.
Alday was the lone double-digit scorer for the Bacolodnons with 12 points, Dionson chipped in eight markers, while Negrense Mark Yee struggled with just six points, three rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
The Bacolod BingoPlus will try to arrest their losing skid when they battle Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc. at seven in the evening on August 26 at the STRIKE Gymnasium in Cavite.
BOX SCORE:
RIZAL 67 – Victoria 16, Mallillin 16, Caballero 12, Serrano 7, Capobres 4, Bienes 3, Rios 3, Gob 2, Charcos 2, Benitez 2, Daez 0.
BACOLOD 57 – Alday 12, Dionson 8, Cabanag 6, Solis 6, Yee 6, Nermal 5, Pastias 3, Tulipas 2, Lee Yu 2, Casiño 2, Jeruta 2, Ilagan 2, Villoria 1, Lao 0.
Quarterscores: 13-10, 35-27, 48-39, 67-57./PN
