The Iloilo United Royals snapped their losing streak in the ongoing Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Cup with a 72-67 victory over Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines last Monday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.
Despite coming through with the win, Iloilo saw their lead of 14 points turn into a 54-51 deficit at the onset of the fourth period. In an effort to recover, split free throws from Ryan Arambulo and Richard Escoto, along with layups from Aaron Jeruta, Jasper Parker, and Rey Publico, put them up 59-58.
Subsequent free throws from Parker and Escoto allowed the Royals to build a 63-58 lead but Navotas countered as Renz Gonzales and Jesper Bautista cut the deficit to 65-64.
Escoto followed up with two free throws and completed a rare “four-point deficit” to make it a seven-point game before Parker iced the win with two free throws.
Escoto finished with a double-double for Iloilo on 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Al Francis Tamsi added 11 markers./ASC, WDJ