MANILA – John Cantimbuhan scored on a go-ahead basket as Bacolod City of Smiles scored an 85-84 win over Bulacan Kuyas in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League over the weekend at the Quezon Convention Center.
Bacolod were clinging to an 83-81 lead after a three-point play by Valandre Chauca with over two minutes left, Bulacan snatched the lead at 84-83 on back-to-back baskets by Buenaventura Raflores Jr. and Jerick Fabian with 55 seconds left.
Bacolod missed on their next attempts before finally getting the lead on a one-hand shot by Cantimbuhan with a second left before Jeremy Cruz missed his three-point try at the buzzer for Bulacan.
Cantimbuhan finished the game with six points to go with eight assists, four rebounds, two steals and a block as Bacolod City returned to their winning ways to improve to 6-9 win-loss slate.
Chauca led the Bacolodnons with 22 points, including two outside hits, to go with five assists and three rebounds, while newcomer Regie Boy Basibas and Mark Sarangay had 13 and 11 markers, respectively.
Raflores finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists, Fabian chipped in 12 markers, while Renz Capulong contributed 11 markers as Bulacan dropped to 5-9 win-loss slate.
Meanwhile, Negros Pau Muscovados failed to extend their winning streak as they suffered a 77-71 defeat at the hands of Muntinlupa Cagers as they dropped to 5-10 win-loss slate.
John Louisse delos Santos tallied double-double 12 points and 11 rebounds, John Amores and John Sarao chipped in 12 markers apiece while John Cedrick Abis ended with 11 points for the Cagers.
Jason Melano finished with double-double 29 points and 11 rebounds to go with two assists, two blocks and a steal, while Nemesis dela Cruz added 19 markers for the Muscovados.
Iloilo United Royals-Cocolife also suffered another heartbreaking defeat as they bowed to General Santos Warriors, 86-84. This was the Ilonggo side’s fifth consecutive defeat as they dropped to 5-10.
BOX SCORE:
BACOLOD 85 – Chauca 22, Basibas 13, Sarangay 11, Alano 9, Matillano 8, Koga 8, Sedillo 6, Cantimbuhan 6, Menguez 2, Stevens 0, Magbanua 0.
BULACAN 84 – Raflores 19, Fabian 12, Capulong 11, Guevarra 9, Dela Torre 8, Cruz 8, Segura 6, De Guzman 4, Sebastian 3, Toribio 2, Codinera 2, Vegiga 0, Alcoriza 0, Yuzon 0.
Quarterscores: 26-24, 41-50, 63-70, 85-84./PN
