BACOLOD City – John Byron Villarias served as a thorn on the side of his hometown team Bacolod BingoPlus as he led Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards to an 81-74 triple OT win in the 2022 MPBL Season in a game that ended past midnight on Tuesday at the University of St. La Salle Gym here.
The Bacolod City native Villarias waxed hot from downtown to finish with double-double 24 points and 10 rebounds as the Rice Vanguards maintained its unblemished slate after nine games.
Jessie Collado also made his presence felt with 17 markers, while Jonathan Uyloan and Michael Juico contributed nine markers apiece for the Rice Vanguards, which escaped with a win despite committing massive turnovers the entire game.
Already on the brink of defeat as they were down 49-52 late in the fourth quarter, Villarias was bailed out by an ill-advised foul by Bacolod’s Alwyn Alday, which led to his three free throws to tie the score at 52-all.
Villarias opened the first overtime period with a three-pointer to give Nueva Ecija a 57-54 advantage. However, Negrense Mark Yee connected a three-pointer to send the match to another extension.
Bacolod started strong in the second overtime and were on top by four following back-to-back hits by Yee but Nueva Ecija got a response from Villarias and Collado for a 67-all score and another extension.
Nueva Ecija went for the kill in the third overtime with Villarias connecting two outside shots followed by a three-point play by Jay-R Taganas and a free throw from John Murphy Raymundo for an 81-74 spread.
Yee finished the game with double-double 19 points and 16 rebounds, while Edrian Lao added 11 markers as the Bacolodnons slumped to its second straight defeat for a 5-3 win-loss slate.
In the first game, Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines cruised to its seventh victory in as many games following an 86-82 overtime victory against Valenzuela City MJaz Zenith (4-5).
Former PBA cager Jaycee Marcelino came up with clutch baskets in the extension period to finish with 26 points, six rebounds and four assists and be hailed as the Player of the Game.
BOX SCORE:
NUEVA ECIJA 81 — Villarias 24, Collado 17, Juico 9, Uyloan 9, Mabulac 8, McAloney 7, Gabo 3, Taganas 3, Raymundo 1, Balucanag 0, Manalang 0, Palma 0, Siruma 0.
BACOLOD 74 — Yee 19, Lao 11, Alday 8, Jeruta 8, Nermal 6, Ilagan 6, Lee Yu 4, Villoria 4, Cabanag 4, Albo 2, Dela Cruz 2, Pastias 0, Solis 0.
Quarterscores: 11-20, 24-31, 39-40, 52-52, 57-57, 67-67, 81-74./PN
