MANILA – Jeff Viernes hit a personal milestone as Sarangani Marlins handed Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards a rare regular season defeat, 134-123, in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League on Saturday night at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
Viernes waxed hot for MPBL-record 50 points, including nine three-point conversions, to go with eight assists and three steals as the Marlins recorded their seventh win in 13 games.
The scoring outburst of the former St. Clare College of Caloocan guard erased the previous MPBL scoring record of 44 points tallied by General Santos Warriors forward John Wilson.
With the score tied at 115-all in the second overtime, Viernes scored back-to-back tough three-pointers to surge the Marlins ahead at 121-115 before he scored six straight free throws to widen the advantage to 127-119.
The defending champions Rice Vanguards threatened to within 121-127 but two baskets from Rommel Calahat followed by two free throws from Viernes sealed the win for the Marlins.
John Paul Cauilan chipped in 23 markers, Calahat ended with 13 points and eight rebounds, while John Jordan Sta. Ana and Reggz Albert Gabat had 12 and 10, respectively, for Sarangani.
William McAloney top-scored with 20 points, while Jay Collado added 18 markers for the Rice Vanguards, which has not tasted a regular season defeat since the 2019-2020 MPBL season.
Meanwhile, Iloilo United Royals-Cocolife reeled to their second consecutive defeat as they suffered a 91-87 loss to Batang Kankaloo of Caloocan City at the STRIKE Gymnasium in Bacoor, Cavite.
Bacolodnon Jeramer Cabanag led the way with 24 points, including four three-point baskets, to go with 11 rebounds, while Marnel Baracael added 23 points as Kankaloo moved up to 8-4.
Tony Ynot tallied double-double 21 points and 10 rebounds, Lorenzo Navarro chipped in 17 markers, while Joshua Flores and Jeffrey Ongteco had 14 and 10 points, respectively, for Iloilo, which dropped to 5-7.
BOX SCORE:
SARANGANI 134 – Viernes 50, Cauilan 23, Calahat 13, Sta. Ana 12, Gabat 10, Shanoda 9, Comia 7, Cosari 5, Escalambre 3, Desoyo 2.
NUEVA ECIJA 123 – McAloney 20, Collado 18, Bitoon 14, Collado 14, Villarias 12, Raymundo 10, Mabulac 10, Balucanag 8, Palma 7, Fontanilla 6, Taganas 2, Pagsanjan 2, Manalang 0, Guinitaran 0.
Quarterscores: 33-28, 67-43, 82-74, 97-97, 108-108, 134-123./PN
