Makati-FSD picked up its first win in the Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational powered by TM against Marikina, 95-89, Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Rence Alcoriza fired 24 points including three three-pointers in just 20 minutes and 27 seconds of play.
Alcoriza and Jess Villahermosa knocked down three free throws combined to stretch Makati’s lead to six, 93-87, with 1:05 remaining.
Kyle Tolentino managed to cut the lead to four via fastbreak layup, but Villahermosa returned to the line on the other end to ice the game for good.
“Yung adjustments namin konti lang, we stuck to the system,” said Blazers head coach Jocas Castillo, who tapped five Army personnel for his team — including Jan Colina. “First game namin magkakasama, yung first game jitters nandoon tapos yung kalaban namin coming from a victory last night so mataas ang kumpyansa.
“Ang ginawa lang namin, tiyagain lang, one at a time, hanggang nabuild na namin yung tamang chemistry so ayun, nag work out naman,” he added.
The win tied Makati (1-0) with Basilan (1-0) in Pool B while Marikina is now on the same boat as Bicol with identical 1-1 slates. Laguna remained winless with a 0-2 standing.
Villahermosa delivered 19 points and seven assists while Lord Casajeros had 13 points and seven boards in the victory.
On the other hand, the debuting Yves Sazon poured 20 points for the Shoe City while Renato Ular posted a monster double-double of 16 points and 19 rebounds.
Kyle Tolentino, who was sensational in Marikina’s win against Laguna yesterday, had 15 points in the loss.
Makati will have Bicol as its next opponent tomorrow, Wednesday at 12:00 PM while Marikina will square off against Basilan-Jumbo Plastic on Thursday at 5:00 PM.
The Scores:
Makati (95) – Alcoriza 24, Villahermosa 19, Casajeros 13, Custodio 12, Alonzo 9, Colina 6, Bautista 5, Formento 4, Lugo 2, Sombero 1, Castellano
Marikina (89) – Sazon 20, Ular 16, Tolentino 15, Gonzales 11, Tambeling 6, Española 5, Pascual 4, Casajeros 4, Gines 3, Carurucan 3, Palattao 2, Mendoza 0
Quarterscores: 19-31, 42-51, 71-75, 95-89
