Jess Quilatan nailed the game-winner, making sure that Bacoor ended its Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational campaign with an 87-86 win against newcomers Negros, Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Richard Albo tried to attack the basket but lost the ball. Fortunately for the Strikers, Quitalan was there to pick up the loose ball and drain the game-winning basket with 2.1 ticks left in the match.
The Muscovados could not get a shot up as time expired.
Quitalan finished the game with 18 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 27 minutes and 41 seconds of game time.
“Kailangan lang talaga namin ng two points,” shared Bacoor head coach Aldrin Morante. “Talagang doon yun kundi kay Jerome [Garcia], kay [Richard] Albo talaga.
“Kaya lang pagkaano ni Albo, pagkapasa sa kaniya, yun na yung pagkakataon umatake kaso nawala sa kaniya yung bola, pumasok si Jess, nadampot natira,” he added.
Albo ended up with a game-high 21 points along with five assists and five rebounds for Bacoor while Jerome Garcia added 14 markers.
The Strikers finished the tourney with a 2-3 standing in Pool A.
On the other hand, Negros was led by Jonathan Gantalao with 26 points and five assists.
Ralph Dinolan added 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists for the Muscovados while Ricer Santillan had 11 points and six boards.
Pasig (4-0) already secured the first playoff seat in the group while Iloilo (3-1) is closing in on the second with Bacolod (3-2) still at bay.
Aside from Bacoor and Negros, Caloocan (1-3) is also already eliminated from contention.
Negros will end its campaign against Pasig-Sta. Lucia on Monday at 2:30PM.
The Scores:
Bacoor 87 – Albo 21, Quilatan 18, Garcia 14, Acidre 9, Galit 8, Raymundo 6, Castro 5, Galicia 4, Acuna 2, Taladua 0, Canon 0.
Negros 86 – Gantalao 26, Dinolan 16, Santillan 11, Adjei 8, Claridad 6, Yulo 5, Gilbor 5, Menguez 5, Maestre 2, Macion 2, Calma 0, Parreno 0.
Quarterscores: 17-19, 44-32, 63-70, 87-86.
