MANILA – Felipe Chavez knocked down decisive baskets in the endgame as Negros Muscovados escaped with a 96-92 win over Bacolod City of Smiles in the 2024 MPBL Season on Thursday night at the Batangas City Coliseum.
Leading by as much as 24 points in the third quarter, the Muscovados suddenly saw their advantage cut to 87-88 with over a minute remaining after a three-pointer by Louie Vigil.
Chavez then converted a three-point play to increase the lead to 91-87, but Bacolod City answered with a layup from Vigil to cut the deficit to 89-91 before Chavez knocked down a triple for a 94-89 Negros advantage.
Vigil responded with a three-pointer to bring Bacolod City to within 92-94 before having a chance to take the lead, but Ian Pardo missed on a wide-open three-pointer from the top.
Bacolod City still had a chance to force a deadlock, but Tricky Peromingan also missed on his layup try. Jan Formento then sealed the victory for Negros as he converted two free throws with five seconds left.
Chavez finished the game with 10 points, with six coming in the fourth quarter, to go with five assists and four rebounds as the Muscovados secured their eighth win in 19 games.
Buenaventura Raflores Jr. led the way for the Muscovados with a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds, Renz Palma added 13 markers, and Formento ended with 12 points.
“‘Yung chemistry namin sinisimulan talaga namin sa ensayo, palagi kaming nag uusap usap and bonding,” Raflores said on his Player of the Game interview. “Talagang ‘yun ang trinatrabaho namin sa training.”
Vigil finished with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists, Yvan Ludovice added 21 markers, and John Derico Lopez had a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds as Bacolod City suffered their 16 th straight defeat for a 1-18 record.
The Muscovados will next face Pangasinan Heatwaves on July 22 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in Pampanga, while Bacolod City will face fellow slumping team Imus Agimat VA Drones on July 25 at the Caloocan Sports Complex./PN
BOX SCORE:
NEGROS 96 – Raflores 22, Palma 13, Formento 12, Chavez 10, Peralta 7, Espanola 7, Cruz 7, Reyes 6, Capobres 5, Villanueva 4, Gabriel 2, Ramos 1, Lorenzo 0, Longa 0.
BACOLOD 92 – Vigil 30, Ludovice 21, Lopez 10, Antiporda 8, Peromingan 8, Marilao 7, Sedillo 4, Pardo 4, Ramos 0, Bulawan 0.
Quarterscores: 25-10, 49-31, 71-58, 96-92.
