Bacolod outlasts Basilan in Maharlika basketball

Ilonggo Yankie Haruna of Bacolod Master Sardines converts an inside basket. MPBL PHOTO.
Ilonggo Yankie Haruna of Bacolod Master Sardines converts an inside basket. MPBL PHOTO.

MANILA – Bacolod Master Sardines hangs into their playoffs hopes after a 96-89 victory over Basilan Jumbo Plastic in the 2019-2020 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Cup on Saturday night at the San Juan Arena.

Bacolodnon Nico Paolo Javelona dropped 21 points, five rebounds and five assists, as the Bacolod City-based basketball club laddered up to the 11th spot in the Southern Division with a 9-16 W-L record.

Jess Mar Villahermosa chipped in 15 markers, while Ilonggo Yankie Haruna and Jerick Canada contributed 14 markers apiece as the Master Sardines remain in the run for the top eight spot, and just four games behind Bicol Volcanoes.

“We’re not thinking of our chances. What we’re doing right now is to play and enjoy and also to win as much as we can,” said Bacolod head coach Vic Ycasiano.

After seeing their seven-point lead turned to 75-77 with over five minutes left, the Master Sardines got timely conversions from Haruna and Benedict Adamos to make it a six-point edge.

Basilan made its last push by trimming the deficit to two points, but Cañada and Javelona fired consecutive three-pointers to fend off their pesky opponents, 89-81, with less than two minutes remaining.

Allyn Bulanadi’s 33-point explosion went to waste as Basilan went down to 16-10 and tied in the fourth spot with Zamboanga, who are also in the Southern Division./PN

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