By Adrian Stewart Co

Bacolod Master Sardines lost 107-100 in overtime to the Bacoor Strikers last Tuesday in the ongoing Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Cup at the Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor City, Cavite.
After a triple from Bacolod’s Jopher Custodio forced the game into overtime, he kept pushing the team ahead until they were tied once again at 94-all. Back-to-back three-pointers by Gabriel Banal gave Bacoor a 100-96 advantage; however, free throws by Nico Paolo Javelona and a layup from Dimas knotted the score anew at 100-all.
Bacoor then pulled ahead 103-100 on free throws by Banal. Bacolod had a chance to tie things up again but, after a controversial play where Bacoor players appeared to hold Mark Tallo, they lost the ball. Banal then stepped up and converted crucial three-pointers and free throws to power Bacoor to their eighth win in 10 games.
Banal finished with a double-double on 29 points and 11 assists, while Mark Joseph Pangilinan added 18 points, and Michael Mabulac scored 15.
For the Bacolodnon side, Javelona had another solid outing with 27 points, while Custodio scored 23, and Tallo – 17./ASC, WDJ