MANILA – Bicol Volcanoes spews lava on powerhouse Pampanga Lanterns to pull off an 82-70 upset in the 2020 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Season 3 Lakan Cup on Wednesday night at the Valenzuela Astrodome.
Ron Jason Buenafe waxed hot with 20 points, while Alwyn Alday chipped in 15 markers for the Volcanoes, which recovered from opening day defeat to Basilan Steel to improve to 1-1 card.
Alexander Nuyles, who like Buenafe is a former PBA player, also submitted double-digit scoring with 10 markers for the Volcanoes, which drew strength from its bench players with 55 points.
Trailing after the first 12 minutes, the Volcanoes started to gain control of the match in the second period behind Buenafe and Nuyles before hanging on to the lead the rest of the way.
Michael Juico top-scored with 14 points and seven rebounds, while John Dexter Maiquez and Reil Cervantes contributed 10 markers apiece for the Lanterns, which dropped to 1-1 win-loss card.
The Parañaque Patriots completed a night of surprise as it stunned home team Valenzuela Classic, 89-83, to complete its fight back from 20 points down in the second half.
Jemal Vizcarra knocked 27 points, including five triples, while Dwight Saguiguit tallied 17 markers for the Patriots, which put Classic’s Chris de Chavez’s MPBL feat of nine triples made to vain.
Vizcarra and Saguiguit conspired on offense, but the rest of the squad concentrated on making stops, allowing the Patriots to come back from 20 points down, 66-46, before completing a victory./PN
