MANILA – Bacolod BingoPlus showed its steadiness in the endgame to oust GenSan Warriors, 77-73, in Game 3 of the 2022 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Southern Division quarterfinals on Saturday at the Batangas City Coliseum.
Holding to a slim 71-70 lead with three minutes left, the Bacolodnons created separation via a free throw by Ilonggo Aaron Jeruta and a basket and a free throw from Raymund Ilagan for a 75-70 advantage.
The Warriors made its last stand at 73-75 on three free throws by Nikko Panganiban and still had a chance to snatch the victory but they turned the ball over. Alwyn Alday sealed the win for Bacolod with two free throws.
Jhan McHale Nermal was hailed as the Player of the Game with double-double 21 points and 10 rebounds for Bacolod, which will face Zamboanga Family Brand Sardines in the best-of-three semifinals beginning on Tuesday night.
Alday chipped in 14 points, including two outside conversions, while Jeruta and Jayboy Solis ended up with 10 markers apiece for Bacolod, which wrapped up the best-of-three quarterfinals series at 2-1.
It was a tightly-contested game for both teams with Bacolod holding to a 58-57 lead after three quarters before Nermal opened the fourth frame with eight straight points for a 66-60 lead.
The Warriors countered with back-to-back hits from Brian Hilario to come within 64-66 but a layup by Joel Lee Yu and free throws by Bacolodnon Jeramer Cabanag and Alday widened Bacolod’s lead to 71-64.
GenSan refused to give up as it answered back with an inside hit from Christian Fajarito followed by back-to-back conversions from Nico Elorde and Dhon Reverente for a 70-71 count.
Fajarito ended the match with 17 points, eight rebounds and two assists, Hilario added 11 points, while Elorde chipped in 10 markers as the Warriors bowed out of the competition with the loss.
Panganiban and Chris Masaglang, who scored 24 and 15 points, respectively, during their 77-72 Game 2 victory last October 24, struggled in the do-or-die Game 3 with combined 10 points.
BOX SCORE:
BACOLOD 77 – Nermal 21, Alday 14, Solis 10, Jeruta 10, Yee 7, Ilagan 7, Cabanag 6, Lee Yu 2, Villoria 0, Dionson 0.
GENSAN 73 – Fajarito 17, Hilario 11, Elorde 10, Panganiban 8, Chan 6, Reverente 6, Gomez 5, Cruz 4, Masaglang 2, Mondragon 2, Orbeta 2, Belencion 0, Pingoy 0.
Quarterscores: 16-19, 36-32, 58-57, 77-73./PN
