MANILA – Bacolod City of Smiles’ comeback bid fell short. It suffered a 91-86 defeat to Bacoor City Strikers in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League on Monday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Down 76-53 after three quarters, Bacolod City slowly clawed its way back behind Domark Matillano, Mark Sarangay and Coy Alves to cut the deficit to 78-85 with over two minutes left.
The Strikers widened the lead to 86-78 after a split free throw by Negrense Mark Yee but Bacolod City answered with a technical free throw from Matillano and two more freebies from Sarangay to come within 83-86.
Bacoor City once again increased the lead to 88-83 following an inside connection from James Canlas Kwekuteye but Bacolod City responded with a triple from Ryussei Koga to make it an 86-88 score.
After a missed attempt from the Strikers, Bacolod City had a chance to take the lead but Matillano and Koga misfired on their outside shots while Bacoor City widened their lead to 89-86 after a split free throw by Ilonggo Aaron Jeruta.
Still, Bacolod City had a last opportunity to send the game into overtime but Matillano and John Cantimbuhan missed their three-point attempts before Kwekuteye sealed Bacoor City’s win with two free throws.
Chito Jaime top-scored for the Strikers with 15 points, including three outside conversions, to go with four rebounds and three assists as they improved to 18-4 in the standings.
Kwekuteye added 11 points, four rebounds and two assists, while former PBA player Michael Canete also contributed double-digit output for Bacoor City with 11 points and five rebounds.
Sarangay tallied 22 points and nine rebounds, Cantimbuhan added 18 markers and eight assists, while Koga and Alfred Sedillo contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively, as Bacolod City dropped to 9-14.
They playoffs-seeking Bacolod City will hope to snap their two-game losing skid when they face Laguna Krah Heroes at four in the afternoon on August 14 at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City./PN
BOX SCORE:
BACOOR 91 – Jaime 15, Canete 11, Kwekuteye 11, Yee 9, Alday 7, Lee Yu 7, Jeruta 7, Montuano 6, Ludovice 5, Jamito 4, Nermal 3, Eguilos 2, Pasturan 2, Villoria 2, Acidre 0.
BACOLOD 86 – Sarangay 22, Cantimbuhan 18, Koga 12, Sedillo 10, Matillano 8, Alves 7, Basibas 6, Menguez 6, Magbanua 1, Stevens 0, Alano 0.
Quarterscores: 28-22, 51-40, 76-53, 91-86.
