MANILA – Negros Muscovados recorded its first-ever franchise back-to-back wins after a 94-75 rout of Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc. in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League over the weekend at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
Mark Maloles top-scored with 20 points, including a perfect 8-of-8 field goal shooting, to go with four rebounds, three assists and two steals as the Muscovados hiked its record to 4-5.
Jason Melano chipped in 17 markers and six rebounds, while Kevin Rey Villafranca, Leo James Ingles and Bacolodnon Paolo Javelona contributed nine markers apiece for the Muscovados.
Muscovados’ playing team owner John Alfred Gilbor also made his MPBL debut with one point, on one-of-two free throw shooting, to go with one rebound and one assist in almost six minutes of action.
The Muscovados surged to an 11-4 start behind early hits from Melano, Jonathan Gantalao and Robin Rono. Valenzuela kept the match close at 10-14 but a triple by Javelona and a layup by Maloles gave Negros a 23-17 lead.
Maloles continued his offense early in the second quarter with eight straight points for a 35-22 lead for Negros. More baskets from Maloles coupled by inside shots from Villafranca widened the advantage to 49-33 at the half.
Negros went on with its offensive onslaught in the third quarter with Melano attacking inside for a 60-34 lead. Valenzuela came up with consecutive points to cut the deficit to 47-64 but triples by Melano and Gantalao increased the lead back to 75-51.
Valenzuela City opened the final quarter with consecutive baskets to chop the deficit to 20 points but Negros had a quick answer via back-to-back triples by Jose Piero Longa for an 83-59 upperhand.
Michael Angelo Macion tallied 20 points and nine rebounds, while Stephan Steinl added 18 markers and a three-pointer as Valenzuela City suffered its eighth defeat in nine matches.
The Muscovados will attempt for its third straight victory when it faces powerhouse Go for Gold-San Juan Knights at four in the afternoon on May 20 at the Bataan People’s Center in Orani, Bataan.
BOX SCORE:
NEGROS 94 – Maloles 20, Melano 17, Villafranca 9, Ingles 9, Javelona 9, Longa 6, Gantalao 5, Bregondo 4, Bartolo 4, Rono 4, Geolingo 2, Santillan 2, Lao 1, Gilbor 1, Cuyos 1.
VALENZUELA 75 – Macion 20, Steinl 18, Manliguez 9, Velasco 8, Diego 7, Martin 3, Rivera 3, Gonzaga 3, Mabigat 2, Luengo 1, Tateishi 1, Ligon 0, Sy 0, Bauzon 0, Pagcaliwangan 0.
Quarterscores: 23-17, 49-33, 75-51, 94-75./PN
