MANILA – Bacolod BingoPlus created separation from Bacoor City Strikers in the second half to score a 69-58 victory in the 2022 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Season on Saturday night at the STRIKE Gym in Bacoor, Cavite.
Clinging to a slim 30-29 lead at the half, Bacolod started strong in the third quarter with consecutive inside and outside conversions from Alwyn Alday to build a 41-35 lead over Bacoor.
The Strikers responded with a run to cut the deficit to 40-41 but Negrense Jhan McHale Nermal became aggressive on the offensive end as his free throws pushed Bacolod to a 47-42 lead.
Back-to-back baskets by Nermal and Joel Lee Yu to start the fourth widened Bacolod’s lead to 51-44 but it was trimmed down by Bacoor to 47-51 via three free throws by Mark Joseph Pangilinan.
Bacolod then dropped a 10-0 scoring blast on two freebies by Mark Yee, a layup by Kraniel Villoria and more free throws each from Jeramer Cabanag and Lee Yu for their largest lead of 61-47.
Bacoor tried to make its last push on back-to-back baskets from Ian Melecio to cut the deficit to 55-65 but two straight inside baskets from Yee restored Bacolod’s biggest lead with under a minute left.
Alday finished the game with 17 points, including three outside conversions, while Yee had a double-double 11 points and 14 rebounds as the Bacolod notched its fourth straight win for a 13-7 win-loss slate.
Nermal contributed 10 points, with eight coming in the second half, to go with eight rebounds and two blocks, while Cabanag and Raymond Ilagan added nine points each for Bacolod.
RJ Ramirez top-scored with 14 points, with two outside hits, while Pangilinan and Mark Montuano contributed 12 and 11 markers, respectively, as the Strikers slumped to 6-11 win-loss record.
The Bacolod BingoPlus will close out their elimination round matches when it battles Makati City MNL Kingpins at seven in the evening on October 1 at the Batangas City Coliseum.
BOX SCORE:
BACOLOD 69 – Alday 17, Yee 11, Nermal 10, Ilagan 9, Cabanag 9, Villoria 7, Lee Yu 6, Jeruta 0, Tulipas 0, Dionson 0, Soriano 0.
BACOOR 58 – Ramirez 14, Pangilinan 12, Montuano 11, Jamon 7, Alonzo 4, Melencio 4, Castro 2, Hallare 2, Canon 2, Destacamento 0, Acuña 0, Mag-Isa 0, Stevens 0, Moralde 0.
Quarterscores: 18-17, 30-29, 47-42, 69-58./PN
