MANILA – Bacolod City of Smiles failed to sustain another strong start to suffer a 90-72 defeat to Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League on Saturday night at the Bataan People’s Center.
The Bacolodnons cruised to a 24-13 start behind early hits from Domark Matillano, Mac Montilla and Justine Alano but the pressing defense of the Rice Vanguards allowed them to cut the deficit to 23-27.
Bacolod widened the lead anew to double digits at 33-23 in the second quarter via back-to-back jumpers by Coy Alves but the Rice Vanguards relied on consecutive hits by Emil Renz Palma to make it 30-33.
Bacolod were still up 43-42 at the half, but Nueva Ecija turned things around in the third canto behind Bobby Balucanag, Michael Juico and Palma as they surged to a 67-60 advantage.
Nueva Ecija then held Bacolod scoreless for the first four minutes of the final quarter as they increased the lead further to 76-61 behind connections by William McAloney and free throws by Balucanag.
With the Bacolodnons misfiring with their shots, the defending champions Rice Vanguards padded the lead further as it reached its largest at 22 points late in the game after a basket by homegrown player Rich Guinitaran.
McAloney led the way with 17 points, Palma and Juico chipped in 16 and 13 points, respectively, while Chris Bitoon had 13 assists to go with three points as the Rice Vanguards improved to 2-0 slate.
Montilla and James Mangahas, meanwhile, were the bright spots for the Bacolodnons with 11 markers apiece as they slumped to 0-2 record after suffering their second straight come-from-behind defeat.
Meanwhile, Iloilo United Royals-Cocolife failed to thwart Bulacan Kuyas’ fourth quarter offensive avalanche as they suffered an 85-76 defeat at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Kuyas outscored the United Royals, 27-17, in the fourth quarter to steal the win in a tight encounter. It was the Bulacan team’s second straight victory while dealing the Ilonggos a losing start this season.
BOX SCORE:
NUEVA ECIJA 90 – McAloney 17, Palma 16, Juico 13, Pagsanjan 7, Balucanag 7, Taganas 5, Raymundo 5, Guinitaran 5, Collado 3, Fontanilla 3, Villarias 3, Tolentino 3, Bitoon 3, Manalang 0, Arenas 0.
BACOLOD 72 – J. Mangahas 11, Montilla 11, Matillano 9, Alano 8, Alves 8, Catimbuhan 8, Sedillo 7, Koga 6, Arboleda 2, Sarangay 1, Stevens 1, Menguez 0, A. Mangahas 0, Pastias 0.
Quarterscores: 23-27, 42-43, 67-60, 90-72./PN
