CAVITE — Iloilo United picked up its sixth-straight victory after surviving Rizal Xentro Mall’s fourth quarter scare, 71-65, on Monday in the 2019-20 Chooks-to-Go/MPBL Lakan Season at the Imus Sports Complex.
Trailing by one with 3:57 left, the Royals launched a game-ending 9-2 blast, highlighted by Alfrancis Tamsi’s triple at the 1:11 mark to put his squad up 69-65.
Jerson Prado provided the much-needed baskets for the Royals, scoring 10 of his 12 points in the payoff period to go along with seven rebounds and two rejections.
“Si Jerson, mare-reward talaga siya because of his hard work eh. Nakita ko ‘yung fire niya na kumuha ng bola, kaya namin siya kinuha kasi naniniwala kami sa kakayahan niya,” said Iloilo coach Eric Gonzales.
Tamsi, on the other hand, tallied a game-high 16 points, while Richard Escoto wound up with 10 points.
Iloilo tied Basilan for the fourth spot in the South Division at 15-8.
Kelvin Gregorio led the Xentro Mall-backed Golden Coolers with 15 points on a measly 6-of-16 shooting. Meanwhile, Rommel Saliente and Jordan Rios contributed 12 markers apiece.
Rizal dropped to 4-17, tying Marikina at dead last in the North division.
The Scores:
ILOILO 71 – Tamsi 16, Prado 12, Escoto 10, Jeruta 6, Rodriguez 6 Gumaru 6, Publico 4, Parker 4, Arambulo 3, Racho 2, Mahari 2, Li 0, De Joya 0, Pedrosa 0, Pantin 0.
RIZAL-XENTRO MALL 65 – Gregorio 15, Saliente 12, Rios 12, Benitez 7, Lacastesantos 6, Leynes 6, Vidal 5, Casajeros 2, Bacay 0.
Quarterscores: 20-11, 40-30, 56-50, 71-65.
Story by Justin Valencia
Photo by Joaqui Flores
