MANILA – Iloilo United Royals capped their 2024 MPBL season campaign with a tight 72-69 victory over Sarangani Marlins on Saturday night at the Olivares College Gymnasium in Paranaque City.
Homegrown player Omar Larupay finished with a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds to be named Player of the Game as Iloilo ended the season with three straight wins for a 11-17 win-loss slate.
“Siyempre importante para sa akin ito na maka-recover uli, patapos na ‘yung season namin kaya kailangan ko magpakita para next season may kumuha uli sa akin,” Larupay said.
“Kailangan ko ng double effort para makabawi ako, para maipakita kung ano ‘yung kakayanan, kailangan ko rin siguro mag-extra work para next season okay na ako,” he added.
Clint Doliguez top-scored for Iloilo with 22 points, while Tzaddy Rangel added 14 markers for the United Royals, which played without Negrense guard Mark Nonoy due to an injury.
Marvin Hayes finished with 26 points and four rebounds, while Ryan Sual added 21 markers, including 16 in the fourth quarter, as the Marlins ended the season with 5-22 mark.
Meanwhile, Bacolod City of Smiles failed to finish their campaign on a winning note after a 130-127 defeat to the Imus Agimat VA Drones at the Caloocan Sports Complex courtesy of a game-winner by Jameson Hiro.
Richard Albo, who previous played for the Bacolod City squad, finished with a season-high of 40 points, including six three-pointers, to go with 12 rebounds and three assists to lead Imus, now with 2-26 mark.
Hiro chipped in 35 markers, 11 assists, and eight rebounds, Nemesis dela Cruz contributed 25 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, while Carlo Velasco and Kenneth Estabillo contributed 17 and 10 points, respectively.
Ian Pardo led Bacolod City with 25 points, Alfred Sedillo and Danny Marilao added 23 and 21 markers, respectively, Louie Vigil had a double-double of 17 points and 18 rebounds, and John Lopez and Jamel Ramos ended with 13 and 10, respectively./PN
BOX SCORE;
ILOILO 72 – Doliguez 22, Larupay 18, Rangel 14, Santos 7, Dela Rosa 6, Javelosa 3, Gomez 2, Ongteco 0, Kapunan 0, De Vera 0.
SARANGANI 69 – Hayes 26, Sual 21, Diputado 6, Kawamura 5, Celso 4, Sunga 3, Gaa 2, Callano 0, Destacamento 0, Jimenez 0, Valenzuela 0.
Quarterscores: 20-10, 29-25, 46-40, 72-69.
