MANILA – Negros Pau Muscovados suffered a heartbreaking 72-71 defeat to Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League on Thursday night at the Baliwag Star Arena in Bulacan.
Holding to a 71-68 lead after two free throws by Jason Melano with 33 seconds left, the Muscovados committed a foul that resulted into two free throws by Zamboanga’s Ralph Tansingco to cut the deficit to 70-71 with 13 ticks left.
Zamboanga quickly fouled Negros’ Jun Manzo but the veteran guard uncharacteristically missed his two free throw attempts with 11 seconds left which maintained the score at 71-70.
Making it worse, Negros’ Mark Maloles committed a foul on Zamboanga’s Jaycee Marcelino, who drilled two free throws for a 72-71 lead. The Muscovados had a last shot at pulling off a stunner but Melano missed his jumper.
With the outcome, the Muscovados failed to score back-to-back victories as they dropped to 6-12 win-loss slate, while Zamboanga City continued its uprising as they moved up to 14-3.
Judel Ric Fuentes led the way for Zamboanga City with 16 points, including two three-point conversions, while Jerald Bautista added 12 markers as they escaped a subpar showing from Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino, who were held to a combined 12 points.
The Muscovados were scorching in the opening quarter with Jose Piero Longa connecting three outside shots for a 24-16 lead but Zamboanga City clawed its way back in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 33-35 at the half.
Zamboanga City continued its run in the third quarter with baskets from Bautista, Jayson Grimaldo and Jaycee to build a 49-41 lead before it went up to double-digits behind connections by Fuentes.
The Muscovados opened the final quarter with conversions from Longa, Bernie Bregondo and Manzo to cut the deficit to 67-68 before finally taking the lead at 71-67 via a Maloles basket and two free throws by Melano.
Longa top-scored for the Muscovados with 14 points, including four three-point baskets, Bregondo had 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Manzo ended with 11 markers and eight assists.
BOX SCORE:
ZAMBOANGA 72 – Fuentes 16, Bautista 12, JC Marcelino 9, Maiquez 8, Tansingco 7, Lasco 6, Grimaldo 6, JV Marcelino 3, Gabayni 3, Santos 2, Mahari 0, Caballero 0.
NEGROS 71 – Longa 14, Bregondo 11, Manzo 11, Melano 9, Gantalao 7, Maloles 6, Bartolo 4, Dela Cruz 3, Pastias 2, Mallari 2, Santillan 2, Ingles 0, Racho 0.
Quarterscores: 16-24, 33-35, 59-50, 72-71./PN
