MANILA – Iloilo United Royals-Cocolife leaned on a strong fourth quarter uprising to defeat Muntinlupa Cagers, 80-72, in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League at the Baliwag Star Arena in Bulacan.
Justine Sanchez and Tony Ynot, both from College of St. Benilde Blazers in NCAA, combined for 15 points in the final quarter as the United Royals returned to winning ways with its 3-5 win-loss slate.
The 6-foot-5 Sanchez poured seven points and the 6-foot-1 Ynot drilled in the dagger triple in a lethal 10-1 scoring run that sealed the outcome, 80-69, with over a minute left in the game.
Ynot wound up with 18 points and three rebounds, while Sanchez finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and three assists for the Royals, which is on a roll since undergoing roster overhaul after a woeful 0-4 start.
Conrad Catapusan and Joshua Flores added nine points each while Neil Tolentino and JR Ongteco contributed eight each for Iloilo, which is showing improvement under Coach Manu Inigo.
Down by as much as 19 points at 16-35 in the second quarter, the United Royals relied on conversions from Tolentino, Flores and Catapusan to cut the deficit to 35-45 at the half.
The United Royals rallied to within 46-47 early in the third behind baskets from Ynot and Sanchez before they took a 53-51 lead on a basket by Tolentino but five straight points from Manuel Mosqueda regained Muntinlupa a 56-53 upperhand.
That was the last taste of the lead for the Cagers as the United Royals got conversions from Ongteco, Ynot, Catapusan and Sanchez in the fourth quarter as the lead reached its biggest at 11 points.
Mosqueda finished the game with 18 points, including four three-point conversions, while Dave Moralde chipped in 16 markers as the Cagers suffered its third straight loss to drop to 4-3.
The United Royals will aim for its fourth win in its last five matches when they return to action on Saturday, May 13, against Quezon Huskers at the latter’s homecourt in Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
BOX SCORE:
ILOILO 80 – Ynot 18, Sanchez 14, Catapusan 9, J. Flores 9, Ongteco 8, Tolentino 8, Navarro 5, Larupay 5, Lucero 2, Sumido 2, Madrigal 0, Guion 0, Javelosa 0.
MUNTINLUPA 72 – Mosqueda 18, Moralde 16, Melencio 7, Salaveria 7, Amores 5, Abis 4, Delos Santos 4, Carino 4, Altamirano 3, Enguio 2, Destacamento 2, Alonzo 0, Ylagan 0, Ortuoste 0, Ruaya 0.
Quarterscores: 14-20, 35-45, 60-58, 80-72./PN
