Imus-Buracai De Laiya kickstarted its Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational powered by TM campaign with a 75-65 win over Bulacan, Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Adi Santos led the way for the Buracai de Laiya-backed squad with 12 points, 13 rebounds, and three assists.
Imus ran away as early as the third quarter, leading by as much as 18 points, 56-38, off a Leo Najorda jumper.
Oneal Arim trimmed the lead to 10, 51-61, for the Kuyas to start the fourth canto before a Najorda-led rally saw Imus put up a 17-point advantage, 75-58, to dash Bulacan’s hopes with 1:28 left in the game.
“Thankful, thankful sa Lord na nagkaroon tayo ng trabaho,” said Imus head coach Manny Torralba. “Before the game, I entered the arena pumunta ako [kay] Jesus Christ and I surrendered all my anxiety, yung takot ko… Bigyan niya ako ng mind na aangkop sa malinis paglalaro ng basketball.”
Ian Melencio scored a team-high 15 points to go along with five assists and three rebounds to lead Imus’ debut win.
Jhaymo Eguilos followed with 13 points, five boards, five dimes, and two steals while Najorda added 12 points, four assists, and three rebounds in the win that gave Imus the early lead in Pool D with a 1-0 standing.
Leading the charge for Bulacan was Jovit Dela Cruz with 16 points off a 7-of-9 shooting clip.
Bryan Faundo added 11 points and eight rebounds in the loss while Kyle Neypes added seven markers, five rebounds, and two assists.
Imus looks to sustain its hot start against General Santos on Tuesday at 7:30 PM while Bulacan will try to bounce back against Mindoro earlier that day at 9:30 AM.
The Scores:
Imus-Buracai De Laiya (75) – Melencio 15, Eguilos 13, Najorda 12, Santos 12, Rogado 11, Reyson 5, Mangalinon3, Llagas 2, Tan 2, Bragais 0, Fuentes 0, Medalla 0
Bulacan (65) – Dela Cruz 16, Faundo 11, Neypes 7, Hoyohoy 7, Caspe 7, Arim 6, Escosio 5, Iñigo 4, De Mesa 2, Martinez 0, Teodoro 0, Marquez 0, Bacay 0
Quarterscores: 18-20, 39-31 61-48, 75-65
