MANILA – Bacolod City of Smiles failed to sustain its double-digit lead to suffer a 67-63 loss to Pasay Voyagers in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League on Monday night at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City.
Ahead 48-34 early in the third quarter, Pasay City went on a huge run behind Tricky Peromingan, Adven Jess Diputado and Dhon Reverente as they trimmed Bacolod City’s lead to 55-49.
Pasay City continued its run in the fourth quarter as they tied the score at 55-all on six straight points by Peromingan before widening the lead to 64-59 lead after a triple by Diputado.
Bacolod City made its last push at 63-65 on back-to-back baskets by Alano and John Cantimbuhan with 26 seconds left but two free throws by Laurenz Victoria sealed the win for Pasay City.
Peromingan was named as the Player of the Game after finishing with 14 points, mostly in the third and fourth quarter, to go with eight rebounds and three assists as Pasay improved to 10-3 slate.
Reverente led the way for Pasay with 16 points, including three outside conversions, to go with eight rebounds while Diputado and Elvin Chan had 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
Bacolod City trailed early in the first quarter at 10-5 before mounting a huge run behind three-pointers from Domark Matillano, Valandre Chauca and Cantimbuhan to take a 23-18 lead.
Bacolod City continued its run in the second quarter with baskets from Matillano, Cantimbuhan and Alfred Sedillo for a 38-29 halftime lead before widening it to 48-34 in the third quarter on back-to-back treys by Matillano and Chauca.
Chauca top-scored for Bacolod City with 15 points, including three three-point baskets, Cantimbuhan also ended with 15 points, while Matillano has 10 points as they dropped to 5-9 record.
After seeing their two-game winning run snapped, Bacolod City will look to bounce back when they face Bulacan Kuyas at four in the afternoon on June 17 at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
BOX SCORE:
PASAY 67 – Reverente 16, Peromingan 14, Diputado 11, Chan 10, Coronel 5, Victoria 4, Bienes 3, Serrano 2, Mangalino 2, Hilario 0, Belencion 0, Carlos 0, Gomez 0, Sienes 0.
BACOLOD 63 – Cantimbuhan 15, Chauca 15, Matillano 10, Sedillo 7, Alano 7, Sarangay 3, Stevens 2, Menguez 2, Koga 2.
Quarterscores: 18-23, 38-29, 49-55, 67-63./PN
