MANILA – Pangasinan Heatwaves kept its flickering playoffs hopes alive after a 100-78 rout over Iloilo United Royals in the 2024 MPBL season on Thursday night at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Ralph Robin finished with 22 points, including five three-point conversions, to go with five assists, two rebounds, and two steals as the Heatwaves notched their 10th win in 25 games.
“Sinabihan naman ako ni coach (Jerson Cabiltes) na may tiwala pa din siya sa akin kahit na nag-struggle ako nung past few games. Andun pa ‘yun trust nila sa akin at nakapag-deliver naman ako,” Robin said.
“Sana sa next games namin, hindi lang ako, kundi pati ‘yung shots ng mga teammates ko ay mag-click, kailangan talaga namin ipakita ‘yung team chemistry namin,” added the former Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals guard.
Michael Juico contributed 22 points, with three outside conversions, to go with three rebounds, and three assists, and Nat Cosejo chipped in 16 points for Pangasinan, which still has a very slim chance of barging in the top 8 of Northern Division.
Omar Larupay led the way with 13 points, four rebounds, and a steal, while Jeffrey Ryan Ongteco added 12 markers and seven rebounds as the United Royals dropped to 8-16.
Meanwhile, Parañaque Patriots (15-9) leaned on a strong start to dominate Negros Muscovados (12-14), 110-83, on Wednesday night at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.
Joshua Gallano finished with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Patriots, while John Umali, Kristan Hernandez, and Jielo Razon added 14, 12, and 11 points, respectively.
“Nagtutulungan kami sa practice and pagdating sa game naman is mino-motivate namin ‘yung isa’t isa, talagang parang isang pamilya na kami dito sa Parañaque,” Gallano said.
Renz Palma top-scored for the Muscovados with 17 points, Alvin Capobres added 12 markers, while Buenaventura Raflores Jr. and JonJon Gabriel had 11 and 10, respectively./PN
BOX SCORE:
PANGASINAN 100 – Robin 22, Juico 22, Cosejo 16, Melencio 8, Bautista 6, Lasco 6, Gabo 5, Maguliano 5, Fontanilla 4, Tolentino 3, Baracael 2, Taganas 1, Mina 0, Meneses 0, Caasi 0.
ILOILO 78 – Larupay 13, Ongteco 12, Dela Rosa 8, Santos 6, Kapunan 6, Credo 6, F. Diaz 6, Madrigal 5, Berjay 4, Rangel 4, Doliguez 3, De Vera 3, Gomez 2, Javelosa 0, J. Diaz 0.
Quarterscores: 25-17, 46-41, 78-59, 100-78.
