MANILA – Judel Fuentes heated up in the endgame as Quezon Huskers scored a 71-61 victory over the Iloilo United Royals in the 2024 MPBL Season on Tuesday night at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
With the score tied at 58-all, Fuentes knocked down two free throws followed by a perimeter basket and a three-pointer to give the Huskers a 65-60 lead with over a minute left.
After a split free throw by Iloilo’s CJ Cansino, Fuentes converted another perimeter basket for a 67-61 Quezon lead before sealing the win with back-to-back shots from Jason Opiso and Ximone Sandagon.
Fuentes finished with 17 points, with 15 coming in the fourth quarter, to go with six rebounds and three assists as the Huskers maintained their unbeaten record after 13 games.
“Sinabihan ako ng coaches na tumira lang ng tumira kasi papasok din ‘yun eventually, nagtiwala din ako kay Lord na papasok din ‘yung mga shots ko,” said Fuentes, who was named Player of the Game.
“Credit our winning streak sa coaches kasi sila ‘yung nagbibigay sa amin ng motivation during timeouts na to continue shooting lang kahit na nadedepensahan kami ng maayos,” he added.
Sandagon top-scored for the Huskers with 19 points, on 7-of-9 field goal shooting, to go with five rebounds, while Opiso contributed nine markers and eight rebounds in the victory.
Gwyne Capacio led the way for the United Royals with 13 points, while Cansino chipped in 12 markers. They suffered their second consecutive defeat to drop to a 5-9 win-loss card.
Meanwhile, the Negros Muscovados (5-10) halted their losing skid to defeat the Mindoro Tamaraws (4-11). Jan Formento was named Player of the Game with 12 points off the bench.
“Medyo disappointed ako dun sa last game ko kasi hindi ako naka-contribute, kaya ang naging mindset ko lang this game is gagawin ko kung ano ‘yung maitutulong ko sa team,” said Formento./PN
BOX SCORE:
QUEZON 71 – Sandagon 19, Fuentes 17, Opiso 9, Gonzales 6, Banal 5, Gravera 4, Lagrama 3, Minerva 2, Abundo 2, Canon 2, Ibanez 2, Matillano 0, Torres 0.
ILOILO 61 – Capacio 15, Cansino 13, Nonoy 9, Catapusan 5, Imperial 4, Diaz 4, Rangel 3, Berjay 2, Credo 2, Dela Rosa 2, Santos 2, Javelosa 0, Gomez 0, Gotladera 0.
Quarterscores: 17-15, 33-30, 40-42, 71-61.
