Iloilo dropped All-Star Bacolod from its high, scoring a huge 85-62 wire-to-wire win in the stacked Group A of the 2021 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational powered by TM, Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The United Royals clamped down on the Ballers early, going on a 13-2 start that paved the way for a 25-8 lead to end the opening frame. Bacolod went just 2-of-16 from the field during the first 10 minutes of the game.
Bacolod’s woes continued in the second quarter, ending the first half with just a paltry 20 points.
“Bawal na kaming matalo kaya start pa lang ng game, matindi na ang binibitawan nila,” said Iloilo head coach Eric Gonzales.
Jayson David, Gelo Vito, and Axel Inigo put the finishing kick to start the final frame, knocking down three consecutive treys for a game-high 70-46 lead.
“Masaya si Boss [Jay Javelosa]. It’s a pride thing kasi alam natin may rivalry ito,” added Gonzales.
Iloilo went up to 2-1, taking solo second in their group while dropping Bacolod to the same slate for third. Pasig leads the pack at 1-0 while Bacoor and Caloocan have identical 1-1 slates. Negros remains winless in three outings.
Chito Jaime tallied a tournament-high 28 points, going 7-fo-14 from deep, while also tallying five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. The previous high of 27 was set by San Juan’s Orlan Wamar last Saturday against Val City.
Mac Racho got 11 points while JP Maguliano added eight points and eight rebounds. Inigo also had nine assists and seven points.
Only Kim Bayquin scored in double-figures for Bacolod with 12 points. The Ballers shot just 34.4-percent from the field and 3-of-19 from deep.
Iloilo will next face Bacoor on Friday at 5:00PM while Bacolod looks to bounce back on Saturday against Pasig at 9:30AM.
The Scores:
Iloilo 85 – Jaime 28, Racho 11, Maguliano 8, Iñigo 7, David 7, Vito 6, Hernandez 6, Taywan 4, Santiago 3, Mahari 3, Jeruta 2, Bederi 0.
Bacolod 62 – Bayquin 12, Soriano 10, Comia 9, Viloria 8, Montuano 6, Dionson 5, Gonzales 4, Altamirano 3, Pastias 2, Tulipas 2, Casiño 1, Joven 0.
Quarterscores: 25-8, 41-20, 59-42, 85-62.
