The Iloilo United Royals pulled off a 76-70 win over the Pampanga Giant Lanterns last Thursday in the ongoing Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Al Francis Tamsi posted 18 points, including four triples, for Iloilo; while Ilonggo point guard Aaron Jeruta added 13 markers.
Iloilo started flat and opened the game down 11-2 before mounting a run behind Mike Javelosa and Frederick Rodriguez to tie the score at 18-all. However, Pampanga managed to take a 22-18 edge after the quarter.
In the second quarter, Iloilo rallied and built a 31-24 lead off hits from Jeruta, Tamsi, and Richard Escoto but Pampanga responded with six straight points and narrowed their deficit to 31-29 at the half.
The two sides battled in the third quarter, which ended with Iloilo taking a 55-53 advantage following hits from Tamsi, Jasper Parker, and John Mahari.
Tamsi and Jeruta opened the fourth with consecutive shots and gave Iloilo a 61-53 lead. Despite Pampanga forcing several deadlocks, the Ilonggo side created distance with baskets from Jeruta./ASC, WDJ