ANTIPOLO CITY — Iloilo United inched closer to a playoff berth after overpowering Biñan-Luxxe White, 67-63, in the 2019-20 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Season, Monday at the Ynares Center here.
The Royals rose to 17-11, tying Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines for fifth in the Southern division. A win over the lowly Sarangani on Thursday or a Cebu-Casino Ethyl Alcohol loss on Tuesday against Pampanga will clinch a post-season seat for Iloilo.
Al Tamsi led the Royals with 24 points, founded on five triples, to go with five rebounds, four assists, and a steal.
“Very consistent naman ang message ko sa team even sa practices, na ang Biñan, malakas na team, hindi pwedeng biruin. Dapat ang level of intensity namin laging mataas,” said Iloilo coach Eric Gonzales.
Rey Publico followed suit with 13 markers and nine boards, while Richard Escoto contributed 11 points and seven rebounds.
Macky Acosta’s layup on the fastbreak cut Iloilo’s once 12-point deficit to just four, 63-59 with 1:16 left in the game.
But Jasper Parker and Tamsi had other things on their mind. They contributed four points to restore order, 67-59, with 32.9 ticks left.
Macky Acosta tallied 16 points, while Tata Bautista had 14. Jed Mendoza and Kyle Neypes got 10 apiece.
The Heroes fell to 12-17, 10th in the same division.
The Scores:
Iloilo 67 – Tamsi 24, Publico 13, Escoto 11, Rodriguez 8, Jeruta 3, Jaboneta 3, Parker 2, Prado 2, Arambulo 1, Gumaru 0, de Joya 0, Li 0, Mahari 0.
Binan City-Luxxe White 63 – Acosta 16, Bautista 14, Neypes 10, Mendoza 10, Mangahas, J. 5, Stevens 4, Rivera 2, Parala 2, Rosales 0, Justiniani 0, Mangahas, A. 0.
Quarterscores: 20-10, 33-24, 54-42, 67-63.
Story by Justin Valencia
Photo by Thel Suliva
