MANILA – Mark Nonoy caught fire offensively in the second half as Iloilo United Royals pulled off an 85-78 upset over Davao Occidental Tigers-Cocolife in the 2024 MPBL Season on Wednesday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Down 52-59 midway through the third quarter, the United Royals got a three-point play from Clint Doliguez followed by nine straight points from Nonoy to take a 63-61 advantage.
The game was still tight for both teams in the fourth quarter until Conrad Catapusan and Crispin John Cansino took turns on the offensive end to establish a 78-70 advantage before Nonoy secured the win with free throws down the stretch.
Nonoy top-scored with 18 points, with half of his scores coming from the free throw area, for the United Royals, which secured their first back-to-back wins of the season for a 4-7 win-loss slate.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa coaches kasi ‘yung struggles namin the past few games unti-unti na naming nakukuha, tyinaga talaga namin every practice na gagawin namin ‘yung tama,” Nonoy said.
RJ Berjay stepped up with a near double-double performance of 13 points and nine rebounds, while Cansino and Doliguez contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively, for Iloilo.
The victory of the United Royals was also extra special as they face against the former coach, now Tigers mentor Manu Inigo, who left the squad midway in the 2023 MPBL Season.
“That’s the way we should play all the time. Good thing we were prepared well by the coaches,” said Iloilo playing team manager Jay Javelosa. “Props to all the coaching staff. Preparation is really a big factor coming in the game.”
Jun Manzo tallied a double-double of 14 points and 10 assists, while Kenneth Ighalo and Riego Gamalinda added 12 and 11 points, respectively, as the Tigers saw their eight-game winning run snapped to drop to an 8-3 record.
The United Royals will aim for their third straight victory against South Cotabato Warriors at six in the evening on June 12 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in Pampanga./PN
BOX SCORE:
ILOILO 85 – Nonoy 18, Berjay 13, Cansino 12, Doliguez 11, Catapusan 9, Imperial 8, Credo 5, Gomez 4, Capacio 4, Javelosa 1, Rangel 0.
DAVAO OCCIDENTAL 78 – Manzo 14, Ighalo 12, Gamalinda 11, Lojera 9, Tumalip 7, Bayla 7, Arana 7, Lalata 6, Olayon 3, Martinez 2, Sarangay 0, Enguio 0, Andrada 0.
Quarterscores: 22-20, 39-39, 66-63, 85-78.
