Muntinlupa-Angelis Resort played spoiler, stopping Iloilo United six-game winning streak, 96-92, in the 2019-20 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Season at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila City, Friday.
Behind their stellar defense, the Cagers held the Royals without a field-goal in the fourth period until the 2:29 mark when Aaron Jeruta buried a three-pointer to cut the Muntinlupa lead to seven, 82-89.
“We really prepared for Iloilo, alam na namin yung gagawin nilang pupunta sila sa three-pointer nila. We were just finding the mismatches, we go small when they went big,” said Cagers coach Chico Tirona.
With Muntinlupa leading 38-25, the Royals ended the first half on a 22-11 blast, including three triples from Mark Racho, to trim the deficit to just two, 47-49, at the break.
Biboy Enguio exploded with 26 points and 10 boards, Edzel Mag-isa added 14 markers while Paeng Regubio and GJ Ylagan chipped in 11 apiece for the Angelis Resort-backed squad.
The also-ran Cagers rose to 6-19, knotting Imus for the 13th spot in the South.
Aaron Jeruta had 21 points on four triples for the Royals while Alfrancis Tamsi got 18 markers, all from behind the arc.
Iloilo slipped to a tie for the fourth place in the Southern division at 15-9, two games short of third seed GenSan.
The Scores:
MUNTINLUPA-ANGELIS RESORT 96 – Enguio 26, Mag-isa 14, Rebugio 11, Ylagan 11, Ortouste 9, Moralde 7, Po 4, Reyes 4, Salaveria 3, Maloles 3, Pamulaklakin 2, Gonzales 2.
ILOILO 92 – Jeruta 21, Tamsi 18, Racho 13, Gumaru 10, Mahari 10, Publico 10, Prado 6, Rodriguez 4, De Joya 0, Li 0, Arambulo 0.
Quarterscores: 28-19, 49-47, 70-72, 96-92.
Story by Justin Valencia
Photo by Thel Suliva
