By ADRIAN STEWART CO
MANILA – Bacolod BingoPlus’ endgame run was not enough. They suffered a close 76-73 defeat to GenSan Warriors in the 2022 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Season on Monday night at the Lagao Gymnasium in General Santos City.
With the Warriors ahead at 72-62 with under two minutes left, Bacolod went on 7-0 scoring run behind free throws by Mark Yee, Joel Lee Yu and Jhan Nermal and a reverse basket by Yee to cut the deficit to 69-72.
The Warriors managed to increase the lead back to 75-69 via freebies from Nico Elorde and Christian Fajarito but Aaron Jeruta scored on a layup and two free throws to pull Bacolod to within 73-75 with 17 seconds left.
Mark Cruz then split his free throws for GenSan for a 76-73 count giving the Bacolodnons a chance to send the game into overtime but Yee misfired on his triple try after being clipped by the Warriors defense.
With the defeat, the Bacolod BingoPlus remained at fifth place in the Southern Division standings, while the Warriors improved to fourth place with 10-5 to a tie with Rizal Xentromall.
It was a poor start for the Bacolod as they trailed 13-3 behind early hits from GenSan’s Nikko Panganiban and Dhon Reverente before slowly clawing their way back in the second quarter behind Yee to cut the deficit to 37-43 at the half.
GenSan opened the third quarter with baskets from Cris Masaglang and Panganiban for another double-digit spread. Bacolod cut the deficit to single digit via five straight points from Arben Dionson but the Warriors responded with a Panganiban trey for a 58-53 edge.
Bacolod remained within striking distance from GenSan in the fourth period but a three-pointer and inside hit by Marlon Gomez and another layup by Reverente made it a 72-62 count.
Panganiban top-scored for the Warriors with 16 points, Reverente added 15 markers, including three outside hits, to go with eight rebounds, while Masaglang contributed 13 points, on 6-of-8 shooting.
Yee spearheaded the Bacolod offense with double-double 22 points and 13 rebounds, Lee Yu chipped in season-high 13 markers, including two treys, while Nermal added 11 points.
BOX SCORE:
GENSAN 76 – Panganiban 16, Reverente 15, Masaglang 13, Gomez 9, Chan 5, Elorde 5, Fajarito 4, Anderson 3, Belencion 3, Mondragon 2, Cruz 1.
BACOLOD 73 – Yee 22, Lee Yu 13, Nermal 11, Ilagan 9, Alday 6, Jeruta 6, Dionson 5, Solis 1, Cabanag 0, Villoria 0, Tulipas 0.
Quarterscores: 15-8, 43-37, 58-53, 76-73./PN
