Rizal-Xentro Mall rolled to its second-straight victory after a 72-62 conquest of Quezon City-WEMSAP in the 2019-20 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Season, Saturday at the Bahayang Pag-Asa Gym in Valenzuela.
Trailing by as much as 10 points in the payoff period, the Capitals pull within one after Joco Tayongtong’s layup off a steal at the 5:05 mark, 55-56. But that would be the closest they could get, as Rizal pulled all the stops to keep hold of the lead.
Up by just four with 1:18 left in the game, Jayvee Vidal, JR Raflores, and Rex Leynes each put up a basket to close the doors on any Quezon City comeback.
“‘Yung puso ng players ko, laban talaga sila kahit na out na kami, and it is nice na lumalaban ‘yung players,” said Rizal coach Jayvee Gayoso.
Tied at 32 midway through the third period, the Golden Coolers unleashed an 18-4 blast, capped by Kelvin Gregorio’s teardrop, to build a 14-point margin with 1:18 left, 50-36.
Raflores led the Golden Coolers with 13 points, 12 rebounds, and five steals. Meanwhile, Vidal also had a double-double with 12 markers and 10 boards.
Kelvin Gregorio posted 12 markers and nine rebounds. Lordy Casajeros chalked up 10 points, eight rebounds, and four assists as Rizal rose to 6-22.
On the other hand, Ryan Costelo delivered 17 points and six rebounds for the 10-20 Quezon City.
The Scores:
Rizal-Xentro Mall 72 – Raflores 13, Vidal 12, Gregorio 12, Leynes 11, Casajeros 10, Benitez 7, Lacastesantos 6, Saliente 1, Bacay 0, Bautista 0.
Quezon City-WEMSAP 62 – Costelo 17, Tayongtong 11, Mabayo 9, Boholano 8, Olayon 5, Atabay 4, Barua 4, Derige 4, Medina 0, Morillo 0, Santiago 0, Castro 0.
Quarterscores: 16-12, 26-23, 50-40, 72-62.
Story by Justin Valencia
Photo by Thel Suliva
