MANILA – Iloilo United Royals fell short of their comeback bid against Pasay Voyagers, 85-84, in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League on Monday night at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Trailing 73-79 with still three minutes in the contest, the United Royals unloaded a 7-0 scoring blast behind three free throws by Lorenzo Navarro, an inside hit by Omar Larupay and two freebies by Jeffrey Ryan Ongteco to take a slim 80-79 lead.
The Voyagers quickly regained the advantage at 82-80 on a reverse layup by Antonio Jeffrey Coronel and a split free throw by Laurenz Victoria but the United Royals cut it to 81-82 on a split free throw by Larupay.
The United Royals had a chance to take the lead after Voyagers’ Jeric Serrano only drained one of his two free throws but Navarro misfired on a three-point attempt from the top of the key with six seconds left.
The Voyagers increased the lead to 85-81 after two free throw connections from Victoria. United Royals’ Navarro then drilled a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 84-85 with only less than a second left in the game.
Victoria finished the game with double-double 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Serrano also had double-double numbers of 18 points and 13 rebounds as the Voyagers improved to 17-10 win-loss slate.
Joshua Flores top-scored with 24 points, including four three-point conversions, Ongteco added 14 markers, while Navarro had double-double 12 points and 10 assists as the quarterfinals-bound United Royals closed the eliminations with a 12-16 slate.
In the first game, Negros Pau Muscovados ended their campaign with an 85-76 defeat to Pasig City MCW Sports. The Negrense squad finished the season with a 10-18 win-loss slate.
Ryan Costelo tallied 18 points to lead the way for the 19-9 Pasig City, Rey Anthony Peralta added 15 markers, while Pierce Tyron Chan and Robbie Manalang ended with 14 markers apiece.
Homegrown player Arben Dionson paced the Muscovados with 17 points, Jun Manzo had double-double 13 points and 13 assists, while Leo James Ingles and Nemesis dela Cruz finished with 10 markers apiece./PN
BOX SCORE:
PASAY 85 – Victoria 23, Serrano 18, Inigo 9, Coronel 8, Reverente 7, Gomez 7, Hilario 6, Chan 3, Diputado 2, Aguirre 2, Bienes 0.
ILOILO 84 – Flores 24, Ongteco 14, Navarro 12, Sumido 9, Larupay 8, Catapusan 7, Imperial 7, Nunez 3, Madrigal 0, Armenion 0, Guion 0, Javelosa 0.
Quarterscores: 9-21, 39-36, 68-61, 85-84.
