MANILA – Bacolod Master Sardines’ comeback bid against the Parañaque Patriots fell short. It suffered an 82-78 defeat in the 2019-2020 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Cup at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex.
The defeat snapped the two-game winning run of the Vic Ycasiano-mentored Bacolod squad. They fell down to 6-9 win-loss slate.
The Patriots, on the other hand, rose to 6-10.
Bacolod actually got the better start in the game on Tuesday night with newcomer Jessie Saitanan netting inside hits to take a 22-19 edge. The Patriots, however, kept the game close in the second frame to come to within one at the half.
The Patriots gained its offense in the third period behind Jemal Vizcarra and Jayboy Solis. They outscored the Bacolodnons 30-18 to lead by as much as 14 points early in the fourth.
The Bacolod squad did not easily give up, though. They mounted a huge rally behind Nico Paolo Javelona and Mark Tallo to trim the deficit to 75-81 but a free throw by Keith Pido sealed the win for the Patriots.
Vizcarra finished the match with 19 points and eight rebounds. Solis chipped in 15 markers and nine rebounds, while James Patrick Abugan contributed 13 points for the Patriots.
Javelona top-scored with 20 points, Saitanan and Tallo added 12 markers each, while Jerick Canada notched triple-double 11 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists for the Bacolod team./PN
