MANILA – Warren Bonifacio made use of his height advantage to lead Pasay Voyagers to a tight 81-77 win over Iloilo United Royals in the 2024 MPBL Season on Tuesday night at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
The former Mapua University Cardinals center finished with a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds to go with four assists as the Voyagers continued their hot start for a 5-2 win-loss slate.
Bonifacio also played a pivotal role for the Voyagers late in the game as he drilled a rare shot clock-beating three-pointer that gave them a 77-68 advantage with over three minutes left.
“Lahat naman kami may freedom na tumira basta open so tine-take namin ‘yung opportunity na maka-shoot kasi hindi naman namin alam kung papasok or hindi,” Bonifacio said in his Player of the Game interview.
Laurenz Paul Victoria backed up Bonifacio offensively with 18 points to go with six rebounds and five assists, and Dhon Reverente hauled 13 rebounds to go with seven points.
Clint Doliguez led the way for the United Royals with 19 points, CJ Cansino added 12 markers, while Conrad Catapusan and Mark Nonoy tallied 11 points each as they dropped to 2-5.
Meanwhile, Kyle Tolentino caught fire from the three-point area as the South Cotabato Warriors frustrated Negros Muscovados, 81-74, to hike their record to 5-3, the Muscovados dropped to 3-5.
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights gunner finished with 23 points, including seven outside conversions, to go with eight rebounds and two assists to lead the way for the Warriors.
Tolentino’s seventh trifecta of the game served as a game-clincher for the Warriors as it extended their lead to 78-71 after the Muscovados charged back to within 71-75 with under a minute left.
“Masaya ako (na naipasok ko ‘yung) last (three-point) shot ko kasi humahabol ‘yung kalaban,” Tolentino said during his Player of the Game interview. “Game-clincher para sa amin ‘yun.”/PN
BOX SCORE:
PASAY 81 – Bonifacio 22, Victoria 18, Sleat 9, Coronel 9, Reverente 7, Salenga 4, Hilario 4, Tabi 3, Caballero 3, Inigo 2.
ILOILO 77 – Doliguez 19, Cansino 12, Catapusan 11, Nonoy 11, Credo 9, Capacio 4, Berjay 2, De la Rosa 2, Imperial 2, Ongteco 2, Rangel 2, Jeruta 1, Gomez 0, Diaz 0.
Quarterscores: 20-20, 44-35, 63-51, 81-77.
