MANILA – Negros Pau Muscovados was dealt with an 83-62 beating by Batangas City Embassy Chill in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League on Monday night at the Batangas City Coliseum.
The lopsided defeat was a huge blow on the side of the Muscovados, which is hoping to catch the last bus to the playoffs round in the Southern Division, as they dropped to 10-16 in the standings.
Batangas City opened the game with a 9-2 lead behind baskets from Levi Hernandez and Carlos Isit. Negros rallied to within 6-11 but Batangas responded with conversions from John Ambulodto for a 16-9 score.
The Embassy Chill widened the lead to 21-9 on consecutive hits from Jeckster Apinan but the Muscovados answered with shots from Jonathan Gantalao Jr. to cut it to 15-22 but Batangas got more points from Apinan and Hernandez for a 39-16 count.
Batangas City continued its relentless offense in the third period with John Rey Villanueva delivering consecutive baskets and Rhaffy Octobre connecting from outside as the lead swelled to 65-43.
The Muscovados opened the final quarter with conversions from Jason Melano and Leo James Ingles to cut the deficit to 19 but the Embassy Chill had a quick answer from Apinan to seal the win.
Hernandez earned the Player of the Game honors as he finished with 17 points, including four three-point conversions, to go with four rebounds, two assists and a steal for Batangas City.
Apinan, who hails from Roxas City, Capiz, added double-double 13 points and 14 rebounds, while Ambulodto, Villanueva and Oliver Arim each had nine markers as the Embassy Chill improved to 19-5.
Melano tallied 16 points and nine rebounds, while Ingles added 11 markers and seven boards for the Muscovados, which failed to score a follow up to their 77-61 win over Quezon City Toda Aksyon V Fresh last Friday.
The Muscovados will have around two weeks of break before resuming action against the powerhouse Bacoor City Strikers at six in the evening on September 13 at the Olivares College Gymnasium in Paranaque City./PN
BOX SCORE:
BATANGAS 83 – Hernandez 17, Apinan 13, Ambulodto 9, Villanueva 9, Arim 9, Baloria 7, Asuncion 5, Isit 4, Octobre 3, Lingganay 3, Cruz 2, Alarcon 2, Oliva 0, Lunor 0, Importante 0.
NEGROS 62 – Melano 16, Ingles 11, Bregondo 7, Altamirano 7, Manzo 7, Gantalao 4, Longa 4, Maloles 3, Dionson 2, Bartolo 1, Pastias 0, Dela Cruz 0.
Quarterscores: 16-9, 42-21, 65-43, 83-62.
