MANILA – Iloilo United Royals went cold in the second half to suffer a 90-69 defeat to Pasig-Sta. Lucia Realtors in the Chooks-To-Go MPBL Invitational on Monday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The United Royals were still hanging around midway in the third quarter at 57-all but the Realtors went on a huge rally behind Fran Yu, King Calaripio and Jhaps Bautista for a 69-59 edge.
The Ilonggos’ offensive drought, however, continued in the fourth quarter with three-point baskets by Yu and Cedrick Ablaza and inside conversions by Justin Arana. The lead reached its largest at 88-65.
Ryan Costelo top-scored for the Realtors with 15 points. Arana added 14 markers and nine rebounds, while Ablaza and Yu ended up with 13 and 11 markers, respectively.
Levi Hernandez finished the game with 14 points, while Aaron Jeruta and John Mahari added 12 and 11 markers, respectively, for the United Royals.
With the win, the Realtors are now at second place in Group A with 1-0 win-loss record, while the United Royals dropped to third spot with 1-1 slate.
Meanwhile, Ichie Altamirano drained two pressure packed free throws as All-Star Bacolod Ballers defeated Negros Muscovados, 68-67. The Ballers are now solo on top with 2-0, while Muscovados dropped to 0-2.
After seeing their once 12-point edge turned into a 67-66 deficit, Altamirano drew a foul and drained two crucial free throws to retake a 68-67 lead with 12 seconds left in the game.
The Muscovados still had a last opportunity to snatch the game but they failed to capitalize on their end with Ralph Dinolan losing the ball to Kraniel Villoria as time expired.
Altamirano finished the match with 13 points and four rebounds, while John Karlo Casiño added 15 markers, including 11 converted free throws, for the Ballers, which also won over Bacoor Strikers, 73-71, last Saturday./PN
