MANILA – Manila SV Batang Sampaloc SGA Stars rode on Gregory Slaughter’s perfect offensive game to defeat Bacolod City of Smiles, 123-76, in the 2024 MPBL season on Monday night at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila City.
The former Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings center converted all of his nine two-point field goal attempts to finish with 21 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, and two assists as the Stars improved to an 18-8 win-loss slate.
According to the 7-foot Slaughter, the Stars are treating their remaining elimination round games with importance as they want to finish as high as possible going into the playoffs round.
“The standings are pretty close so we are trying to end with the best position that we can, so we are treating our next games as like playoffs already,” Slaughter said in a post-game interview.
Rabeh Al-Hussaini came off the bench to contribute 17 points and six rebounds, while Carl Bryan Cruz, James Tempra, and Jorey Napoles contributed 10 markers apiece for the Stars.
John Lopez top-scored for Bacolod City with 18 points, Yvan Ludovice added 17 markers, while Jose Antiporda and Alfred Sedillo ended with 12 and 11 markers, respectively, as they dropped to a 1-26 record.
The Bacolodnons will hope to snap their 24-game losing skid as they face Imus Agimat VA Drones to close out their campaign on September 27 at the Caloocan Sports Complex in Caloocan City.
Meanwhile, Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards (23-3) scored a come-from-behind 81-78 victory over Abra Weavers (15-10). Negrense Robby Celiz was named Player of the Game with 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
Mark Montuano, on the other hand, scored 15 points as Valenzuela Classics Dynacast (13-13) scored a dominant 98-54 triumph over Bicolandia Oragons (3-23)./PN
BOX SCORE
MANILA 123 – Slaughter 21, Al-Hussaini 17, Tempra 10, Cruz 10, Napoles 10, Sena 9, T. Gonzaga 8, Navarro 7, Torralba 7, Jamon 7, Pasturan 6, Flores 6, Tolomia 3, Javelona 2, Bataller 0.
BACOLOD 76 – Lopez 18, Ludovice 17, Antiporda 12, Sedillo 11, Pardo 8, Marilao 6, Peromingan 4, Ramos 0.
Quarterscores: 31-18, 54-33, 92-57, 123-76.
