MANILA – Iloilo United Royals turned things around in the second half to upset South Cotabato Warriors, 89-83, in the 2024 MPBL Season on Wednesday night at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Down by as much as 19 points in the opening half, the United Royals outscored the Warriors, 18-4, in the third quarter behind Crispin John Cansino, Gwyne Capacio, and Gab Gomez to take a slim 64-63 lead.
The United Royals continued their run at the start of the final quarter with five straight points from Conrad Catapusan and a bucket from Cansino to widen their advantage to 72-66.
The Warriors kept the match close at 71-72 on a Christian Fajarito basket, but the United Royals responded with conversions from Capacio, RV Berjay, and Mark Nonoy for an 85-80 lead with under a minute left.
Capacio finished with 18 points to go with three rebounds and two assists to be named Player of the Game as the United Royals notched their third straight win for a 5-7 win-loss slate.
“Mas naging disciplined lang kami nung second half kasi nung first half we attempted too much three-pointers. We just stuck in our game plan and nagbunga naman in the end,” Capacio said.
“Papunta pa lang kami, especially ‘yung 75 percent ng team is mga bata and nakakatuwa lang na nagpi-pick up na kami sa aming chemistry,” added the former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles center.
Cansino top-scored for Iloilo with 21 points, including three outside baskets, Berjay added 13 markers, while Nonoy and Clint Doliguez ended with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Antonio Lorenzo Joson tallied 23 points, Fajarito added 20 markers, while Raymon Jamito ended with a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds as the Warriors saw their seven-game winning run snapped to drop to 9-4 record.
Meanwhile, Bicolandia Oragons (1-12) notched their maiden MPBL win after a 62-61 escape over Bacolod City of Smiles (1-12). Ralph Deles finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Player of the Game honors./PN
BOX SCORE:
ILOILO 89 – Cansino 21, Capacio 18, Berjay 13, Nonoy 12, Doliguez 10, Imperial 5, Gomez 5, Catapusan 5, Rangel 0, Javelosa 0, Madrigal 0.
SOUTH COTABATO 83 – Joson 23, Fajarito 20, Jamito 15, Tolentino 9, Acuna 6, Elorde 3, Dionisio 3, Rodriguez 2, Dumapig 2, Cosip 0, Cruz 0, Landicho 0.
Quarterscores: 24-33, 46-59, 64-63, 89-83.
