MANILA – Negros Muscovados suffered another meltdown as it bowed to Quezon City TODA Aksyon, 83-79, in the 2024 MPBL Season on Tuesday night at the FPJ Arena in San Jose City, Batangas.
Already ahead at 67-58 with eight minutes in the game, the Muscovados saw Quezon City’s Rafael Are erupted for eight straight points, cutting Negros’ advantage to just 67-66.
The Muscovados got a basket from Renz Palma to extend the lead to 69-66, but Quezon City retaliated with a three-pointer from Kenji Roman and a split free throw from Rhinwill Yambing to take the lead at 70-69.
Quezon City continued its run with two more free throw connections from Are and a three-pointer from Yambing to cap a 9-0 scoring run and establish a 75-69 advantage with three minutes left.
Negros threatened to within two points several times but Quezon City responded with free throws from Yambing and Are to stretch their lead to 83-79 with nine ticks remaining.
Are, who was scoreless in the first three quarters, finished with 12 markers, including two three-pointers, as Quezon City snapped their two-game losing skid to improve to a 5-7 win-loss slate.
“Nagtulungan lang kami lahat. Thankful din ako sa coaches at ibinalik ako sa fourth quarter kahit na wala akong na-contribute nung first half,” Are said in his Player of the Game interview.
Yambing led the way for Quezon City with 23 points, nine rebounds, three steals, one assist, and a block, while Roman hauled 13 rebounds to go with seven markers in the win.
Palma top-scored for the slumping Muscovados with 27 points to go with six rebounds and four assists, while Hubert Cani and James Una added 17 and 11 points, respectively, as they dropped to a 4-9 card.
The Muscovados will try to stop their five-game losing skid as they face Davao Occidental Tigers-Cocolife on June 18 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in Pampang./PN
BOX SCORE:
QUEZON CITY 83 – Yambing 23, Are 12, Gesalem 9, Sawat 8, Mosqueda 7, Roman 7, Nimes 6, Tibayan 4, Desoyo 3, Ballesteros 2, Cauilan 2, Bienes 0, Cosari 0.
NEGROS 79 – Palma 27, Cani 17, Una 11, Longa 8, Comia 6, Capobres 4, Cruz 4, Bacay 2, Geolingo 0, Ramos 0, Atabay 0.
Quarterscores: 16-19, 41-40, 55-62, 83-79.
