In front of its home crowd, Pasay clinched the last playoff berth in the North after taming Mindoro-JAC Liner, 84-72, in the 2019-20 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Season, Tuesday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Voyagers ended the regular season in eighth place behind a 17-13 win-loss card, eliminating Caloocan-Victory Liner at 15-14 with a game remaining.
“Thankful kami sa San Juan kasi tinalo nila ‘yung Caloocan kanina, tapos nakuha namin ang panalo ngayon. My boys did a job well done tonight,” said Pasay coach Marlon Martin
Jaypee Belencion was a man on a mission with 16 points built on four three-pointers. Axel Iñigo posted 14 markers and six assists.
Elmar Moradas also contributed 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Meanwhile, Mon Ilagan and Jan Jamon both got 11 markers, with the former adding 12 rebounds.
Pasay was on fire from the beginning, zooming to a 38-18 advantage in the second period. Still, the Tamaraws slowly inched closer and finished the first half down by just 11, 47-36.
Richard Abañes’ trey then cut Mindoro’s once 16-point deficit to just nine with 2:32 left in the fourth quarter, 79-70. But Jamon and Moradas buried a triple and a jumper, respectively, to pull away for good, 84-70.
Mindoro, who fell to 9-19, was led by Khen Osicos with 16 points.
The Scores:
Pasay 84 – Belencion 16, Iñigo 14, Moradas 13, Jamon 11, Ilagan 11, Reverente 7, Opiso 5, Lastimosa 4, Chan 3, Lomtong 0, Cruz 0, Hilario 0, Lasquety 0, Pasia 0, Bustos 0.
Mindoro-JAC Liner 72 – Osicos 16, Vaygan 13, Baracael 12, Astrero 7, Mandreza 5, Abañes, Axalan 4, Matias 2, Alulod 0, Acedillo 0.
Quarterscores: 27-16, 47-36, 63-51, 84-72.
Story by Justin Velencia
Photo by Nicks Hernandez
