MANILA – Iloilo United Royals saw its debut season come to a close after a 70-63 defeat to Basilan Steel in Game 2 of the 2019-2020 Chooks-to-Go/ Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League South quarterfinals at the Lamitan Gymnasium in Basilan on Feb. 24.
Unlike in the series opener, Iloilo kept the second match a close one. It even forced a 63-all score with under two minutes left via a three-point basket by Al Francis Tamsi.
Allyn Bulanadi, however, carried the fight for Basilan with a layup and a three-point conversion to establish a 68-63 advantage before Jessie Collado sealed the win with two clutch free throws.
Collado finished the match with a double-double output of 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Jhaps Bautista and Bulanadi chipped in 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Steel.
Tamsi, meanwhile, bannered the Royals with 16 points, including four outside conversions, while Richard Escoto contributed 12 markers.
Bacoor City Strikers, on the other hand, carved its way to the semifinals after a 69-60 triumph against seventh-ranked General Santos-Burlington Warriors.
Leading by just four points in the final frame, Bacoor’s Nick Demusis converted a three-pointer and ignited a 10-4 offensive attack to position his team to an 11-point cushion at 69-58 with 2:03 left in the game.
Oping Sumalinog led Bacoor with 16 points sourced on three triples on top of three rebounds and four blocks, while Demusis added 11 points and four boards. Gab Banal also contributed nine points, seven assists, three rebounds and two steals./PN
