MANILA – The slump continues for Iloilo United Royals in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. They suffered a 75-63 loss to Pasig City MCW Sports on Tuesday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
It was the third consecutive defeat for the Iloilo City-based ballers. They dropped to 11-15 in the standings, still at eighth place in the Southern Division standings with two games left.
Down 53-52 after three quarters, the United Royals allowed Pasig City to pull away at 59-52 behind conversions from Robbie Manalang, Ray Anthony Peralta and Alvin Baetiong to start the final quarter.
A three-pointer from AJ Madrigal pulled the United Royals to within 55-59 but consecutive baskets from Michael Maestre and Kenny Roger Rocacurva widened Pasig City’s lead to 63-55.
The United Royals made its last stand at 60-66 after a triple by Lorenzo Navarro but Pasig City secured the win on five straight points by Rocacurva and free throws by Maestre and Manalang.
Rocacurva was hailed as the Player of the Game after tallying 12 points, with seven coming in the fourth quarter, to go with 10 rebounds, five assists, one steal and a block for Pasig City.
Manalang led the way for Pasig City with 18 points and seven assists, Ryan Paule Castelo added 15 markers, while Peralta contributed 11 points as they moved up to 18-8 in the standings.
Jeffrey Ryan Ongteco tallied 18 points and nine rebounds to go with three assists and two steals, Joshua Flores added 13 markers, while Conrad Catapusan ended with 12 points and nine rebounds for Iloilo.
The United Royals will have a one-month break before returning to action against Rizal Xentro Mall Golden Coolers at four in the afternoon on September 21 at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum.
“Hopefully the team can come together and fix what needs to be fixed during our one-month break,” said United Royals founder JJ Javelosa. “We have to win our next two games to remain in the running for the playoffs.”/PN
BOX SCORE:
PASIG 75 – Manalang 18, Costelo 15, Rocacurva 12, Peralta 11, Maestre 8, Chan 6, Baetiong 3, Lorenzo 2, Chavenia 0, Bolano 0, Ballesteros 0, Canon 0.
ILOILO 63 – Ongteco 18, Flores 13, Catapusan 12, Imperial 6, Madrigal 5, Navarro 3, Nunez 3, Larupay 1, Arambulo 1, Armenion 0, Sumido 0, Guion 0, Basco 0.
Quarterscores: 13-13, 29-31, 53-52, 75-63.
