MANILA – Bacolod City of Smiles snapped its losing skid in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League with an 84-66 rout of Laguna Krah Asia Heroes on Monday at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
John Cantimbuhan top-scored with 16 points, including two three-point conversions, to go with five rebounds, three assists and a steal. He was eventually hailed as Player of the Game for Bacolod City.
Regie Boy Basibas added 11 markers; Mark Sarangay posted double-double 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Coy Alves also had 10 markers as Bacolod City snapped its two-game losing skid to improve to 10-14 record.
Bacolod City opened the game with eight early points from Carl Magbanua as they established a 15-10 lead. Laguna tried to keep it close but consecutive points from Cantimbuhan widened Bacolodnon’s advantage to 26-19.
Bacolod City continued to widen the advantage in the second frame behind baskets from Cantimbuhan and Valandre Chauca for a 37-26 lead before it widened to 44-33 at the half on successive points from Basibas.
Laguna continued with its offensive struggle in the third quarter, which Bacolod City took advantage with conversions from homegrown players Domark Matillano and Alfred Sedillo as the lead widened to 64-48.
Bacolod City went on to build its largest lead at 70-52 on inside shots from Justin Alano and Alves. Laguna closed the gap to 13 points several times but Bacolod City answered with hits from Sedillo and Cantimbuhan to preserve the win.
“Napag usapan namin before the game na dapat lahat kami mag-contribute (versus Laguna),” said Cantimbuhan. “Kailangan maidala namin ‘yung confidence into our next games kasi naghahabol kami sa playoffs spot.”
Jerome Garcia posted double-double 16 points and 10 rebounds, Mico Bren Pallares added 12 markers, while Floyd Dedicatoria finished with 10 points as Laguna dropped to 3-22.
The Bacolod City-based squad hopes to extend their winning run and improve their playoffs chances as they battle General Santos Warriors on August 19, Saturday, at the Bataan People’s Center in Orani./PN
BOX SCORE:
BACOLOD 84 – Cantimbuhan 16, Basibas 11, Alves 10, Sarangay 10, Magbanua 8, Sedillo 6, Menguez 6, Matillano 6, Alano 6, Chauca 5, Stevens 0, Koga 0.
LAGUNA 66 – Garcia 16, Pallares 12, Dedicatoria 10, Pontejos 9, De Vera 4, Quiminales 4, Mendoza 3, Celis 3, Anonuevo 3, Mescallado 2, Santiago 0.
Quarterscores: 26-19, 44-33, 64-48, 84-66.
