By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Bacolod City of Smiles survived a fourth quarter uprising by 1Bataan Risers for a 73-69 escape in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City on Saturday night, April 1.

Leading by 20 points early in the fourth quarter, the Bacolodnons were stunned by a massive uprising by Bataan that cut the deficit to 66-70 via an Yves Sazon triple with 19 seconds left.

Mac Montilla drilled two free throws to widen Bacolod’s lead to 72-66, but Bataan answered back with another triple from Jeff Santos to cut it to 69-72. A split free throw by Montilla sealed the win for Bacolod.

Montilla finished the game with five points, six assists and three rebounds as the Bacolodnons recorded their second straight victory in the tournament for a 2-2 win-loss slate.

Allan Mangahas had a near double-double of 10 points and nine rebounds to lead the Bacolod team, while homegrown player Domark Matillano had nine markers on perfect 4-of-4 shooting from the field.

The Bacolodnons caught the Risers off-guard in the opening quarter as they surged to a 25-14 lead. It grew further to 40-23 at the half behind outside hits by Alfred Sedillo and Mangahas.

The Risers attempted to come close early in the third quarter, but Bacolod had their answers on back-to-back three-pointers by Ryussei Koga for the biggest lead of 59-36 on a basket by John Cantimbuhan.

The Bacolodnons maintained the 20-point edge in the fourth quarter at 65-45 on a basket by Jaymam Pabilona before Bataan went on a huge rampage of triples to cut the deficit to as low as four points.

Sazon finished with 12 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Arvie Bringas and James Castro chipped in 10 markers apiece as the Risers dropped to a 2-2 slate.

Meanwhile, Negros Muscovados suffered its second consecutive defeat after being walloped by General Santos Warriors, 88-74. The Muscovados dropped to a 1-3 win-loss slate.

BACOLOD 73 — A. Mangahas 10, Matillano 9, Koga 8, Cantimbuhan 6, Sarangay 6, Sedillo 5, Alves 5, Alano 5, Montilla 5, J. Mangahas 4, Pabilona 4, Arboleda 3, Pastias 3, Stevens 0.

BATAAN 69 — Sazon 12, Bringas 10, Castro 10, Santos 9, Bondoc 7, Darang 7, Sombero 6, Longalong 4, Vera 3, Gabawan 1, Torrado 0, Bilugan 0, Gallardo 0, Lastimosa 0.

Quarterscores: 25-14, 40-23, 61-42, 73-69./ASC, WDJ