MANILA – Bacolod City of Smiles’ fourth quarter uprising was not enough. They bowed to San Juan Knights-Go for Gold, 91-85, in the 2024 MPBL season over the weekend at the Olivarez College Gymnasium in Parañaque City.
Down by as much as 21 points midway through the fourth quarter, Bacolod City relied on the outside shooting of Louie Vigil and Alfred Sedillo to cut San Juan’s advantage to 79-87.
The Knights, however, restored order with two straight baskets from Michael Malonzo and Michael Calisaan to make it a 91-80 advantage before Bacolod City ended the match with a two-pointer and a triple from Vigil.
Dexter Maiquez led the way for San Juan with 20 points to go with eight rebounds and three assists as they secured their second consecutive victory for an 11-1 win-loss record.
Orlan Wamar Jr. added 15 points, nine assists, eight rebounds, three steals, and a block, while Calisaan and Malonzo contributed 14 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Knights.
Maiquez, a former PBA player with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, said they were fortunate to get away with the victory as they used their height and experience advantage against the tough Bacolod City squad.
“Madami ring mismatches and maganda lang din pumasa ‘yung mga guards namin and naga-adjust din kami sa mismatches namin,” Maiquez said during his Player of the Game interview.
Vigil tallied a double-double of 33 points and 17 rebounds, while Sedillo contributed 27 markers, including six outside conversions, as Bacolod City dropped to a 1-14 win-loss slate.
This was the second consecutive game that Bacolod City have fell short with their run as they also suffered an 84-70 defeat to Pangasinan Heatwaves earlier last week.
The Bacolod City of Smiles will look to snap their 12-game losing skid against the Valenzuela City Classics VACARGO at four in the afternoon on June 29 at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum./PN
BOX SCORE:
SAN JUAN 91 – Maiquez 20, Wamar 15, Calisaan 14, Malonzo 10, Taywan 8, Soberano 5, Huang 4, Panganiban 4, Gamboa 2, Miranda 2, Mojica 2, Hernandez 2, Ubalde 2, Galinato 1, Ando 0.
BACOLOD 85 – Vigil 33, Sedillo 27, Peromingan 9, Pastias 6, Pardo 5, Ramos 3, Marilao 2, Manalang 0, Casinillo 0.
Quarterscores: 14-13, 34-28, 66-53, 91-85.
