MANILA – Iloilo United Royals pulled off another stunner in the 2019-2020 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Season after an 84-78 win over powerhouse Bataan Risers on Monday night at the Blue Eagles Gym.
Richard Escoto proved to be the thorn on the side of former team Risers as he led the way with 19 points while also hauling down 11 rebounds as the Royals improves its record 2-0.
Ilonggo Aaron Jeruta also had a good scoring game as he wound up with 19 points apiece, while Samboy de Leon had another solid outing of 16 markers for the expansion team Iloilo.
“Hindi namin masabi
[if we’re a Cinderella team]
, but we keep on preparing the team. Minsan talaga, breaks of the game lang,” said Royals head coach Eric Gonzales. “‘Yung mga bata mas gusto nila, lalo na si Richard Escoto.”
It was a tightly contested game for both teams in the first three quarters before the Royals created distance in the final period, which reached as high as nine points, on hits by Escoto.
The Risers, however, did not easily gave up as they have threatened several times to cut the deficit with outside conversions but steady hands by Jeruta from the free throw line sealed the win for the Ilonggos.
“Yes, I’m confident na we will make a Cinderella run, which is happening right now,” said Royals team owner Julio Jalandoni Javelosa. “But we have to work harder to continue this.”
Sean Manganti top-scored with 18 points, Alfred Batino fell short of a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Chito Jaime added 12 markers for the Risers (1-2)./PN
